Charity Concert & Dinner: Baghdadi Night of Music and Art

Saturday November 1st, 2008, 6:30 PM – past Midnight
Diamond Palace, Fremont
Diamond Palace Hall 4100 Peralta Blvd, Fremont CA 94536

By Amir Elsaffar and the
Safaafir Maqam Group

http://www.safaafir.com http://www.amirelsaffar.com

“ElSaffar combines his dual heritage into a vigorous hybrid
and weaves mesmerizing new tunes out of traditional Iraqi maqam.”
~ Shaun Brady, Philadelphia City Paper-Top 10 Jazz CDs of 2007

• Open buffet menu with your favorite Middle Eastern main dishes, salad and deseert,
• Cash bar
• Door Prizes, Iraqi art sale & auction art by Halla Ayla, Ban Kubba & more
• Raffle first prize an original oil painting “Road to Baghdad” By Afaneen Kubba

Tickets: $60 in Advance

To purchase tickets and for more information,
or contact:

Dina Aljuburi dina_aljuburi@hotmail.com
Vic Zikoor vic.zikoor@gmail.com
Emad Yahya emad.yahya@gmail.com
Voltaire Warda cyberelsar_2000@yahoo.com

Amir ElSaffar, an Iraqi-American, put down the trumpet to learn the centuries-old singing style known as maqam. He has now released his own CD of maqam and is writing music that blends the form with jazz. A true Music Bridge between Iraq and the US

ElSaffar traveled to Baghdad and London to study what some call the classical music of Iraq from the masters. Before that, Iraqi music was not a big part of his life. He grew up in the suburbs of Chicago , and jazz was his first love. After studying classical and jazz trumpet in college, he moved to New York City and worked as a sideman for pianist Cecil Taylor and others. He also led a band of his own.

He is the lead in the Safaafir – Iraqi Maqam group and will come to San Jose with the group from Chicago. The proceeds will be for the Iraqi Injured Children, an Iraqi community member has already pledged to pay the group fees and the travel cost.

That event will feature selective Iraq art and perhaps a silent art auction.

We are open for ideas, your input and do need your help, if you are interested in helping in organizing, promoting or selling tickets for this event please email us back. Volunteers are welcomed.