By Mabel Pais

(‘Love in Exile’ is a project) “manifestation in musical telepathy” – NPR.

Do you want to get a sneak peak into ‘Love in Exile?’

The ‘Love in Exile’ team, in anticipation of their record of the same name, would like you to get a sneak peak into their record. The World Music Institute presents ‘Love in Exile’ (on a very limited basis) on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at The Town Hall (12 West 43rd Street, New York City) at 8 pm. Doors open at 7:30 pm.

‘Love In Exile’ creates lush, haunting collaborative soundscapes of meditation and yearning. Vocalist Arooj Aftab described the project as “about self-exile, and the search for freedom and identity, and finding it through love and music.”

‘Love In Exile’ is the creation of three world-class musicians, steeped in jazz and South Asian musical traditions, who come together to forge a singular voice and musical vision. It is the latest album from Arooj Aftab, and is a collaborative effort put forth with fellow world-class musicians Vijay Iyer, and Shahzad Ismaily.

The significance of the name ‘Love in Exile’ points towards the similarities between the feelings of longing and diaspora and the mysterious way in which a group can improvise songs that are free of traditional structure, tempo, or genre.

AROOJ AFTAB is a GRAMMY award-winning semi-classical Hindustani singer and songwriter, minimalist composer, and producer working in various musical styles and idioms, including jazz, minimalism, and Urdu poetry. She was recently awarded the Grammy for Best Global Music Performance and is the first ever Pakistani artist to receive a Grammy Award.

VIJAY IYER, pianist, is one of the leading music-makers of his generation. His honors include a MacArthur Fellowship, a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a United States Artist Fellowship, a Grammy nomination, and the Alpert Award in the Arts.

SHAHZAD ISMAILY is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He has recorded and performed with an incredibly diverse assemblage of musicians, including Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, Tom Waits, and Jolie Holland to name a few.

Producer and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily’s sensitivity and technical acumen has made him a legend, recording and touring with musicians like Beth Orton, Yoko Ono, Feist, and many others. Love In Exile’s self-titled debut album was one of the most critically-acclaimed releases of 2003 so far, creating lush, haunting collaborative soundscapes of meditation and yearning. NPR described the project as a “manifestation in musical telepathy”. Onstage, this trio draws on the improvisatory spirit of jazz and the Urdu poetic tradition to explore one-of-a-kind performances defined by a sense of timeless beauty and sudden surprise.

KALIA VANDEVER, opening act, is an American trombonist and composer living in Brooklyn, NY. Her approach to the trombone is distinctive and defined by her sonorous tone and lyrical improvisational voice. She leans into the challenges of the instrument and allows patience and melody to guide her process.

TICKETS

For tickets to the performance, visit worldmusicinstitute.org/love-in-exile-with-arooj-aftab-vijay-iyer-and-shahzad-ismaily

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CELEBRATE SARAH VAUGHAN’S BIRTH CENTENARY AT WOMEN@NJPAC GALA

By Mabel Pais

At this year’s Spotlight Opening Gala, Women@NJPAC have planned an extraordinary show!

The music and the impact of one of Newark’s greatest jazz icons, Sarah Vaughan, (fondly called the ‘Divine One’ or “Sassy”) on what would have been her 100th birthday will be celebrated on September 30. Join Women@NJPAC for this unforgettable evening of music and the party of the year, the Spotlight Gala!

Celebrating the 100th birthday of Sarah Vaughan

Sarah Vaughan’s praises will be sung (literally) by performers whose careers were launched by NJPAC’s lasting tribute to Vaughan: The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. GRAMMY® Award nominee Jazzmeia Horn and French-Dominican chanteuse Cyrille Aimée — the first two winners of the Competition — will perform. They’ll be joined by two vocalists beloved by NJPAC audiences, the honey-voiced Gregory Porter and New Jersey-born The Voice and American Idol finalist Wé Ani. NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor, Christian McBride, will serve as the evening’s musical director, fronting an All-Star Band.

Schedule of Events

5:30PM Cocktails

6:45PM Gourmet Dinner

8:00PM Gala Performance & Founders Award Ceremony

9:30PM Dessert, Dancing & After-Party

Founders Award 2023 Honoree

Carmen Villar

Vice President of social business innovation for Merck & Co., Inc.

For Commitment to NJPAC, Newark and the Arts

On this special evening, Women@NJPAC will present NJPAC’s Founders Award to Merck, in recognition of the critical role the company has played in building and sustaining the Arts Center over the past 30 years. NJPAC has been blessed by the volunteer service of two great leaders — former co-chair Dr. P. Roy Vagelos and current co-chair Carmen S. Villar. Merck was the first major corporation to support the construction of NJPAC in Newark; its philanthropy was the catalyst for other corporate funding that ensured this Arts Center would become a reality.

Gala 2023 Co-Chairs

Mindy A. Cohen

NJPAC Board member and Vice President, Women@NJPAC

Patricia L. Capawana

Trustee, Women@NJPAC

Attire l Festive Black Tie Attire

For more information, contact Women@NJPAC or call Sarah Rosen, Managing Director at 973.297.5806.

TICKETS

Help the organization raise funds to continue the Arts Center’s work in arts education, community engagement and arts and well-being. A new option for receiving your Spotlight Gala Tickets to use for your entrance, the performance, and your dinner seating! You can now get your tickets in advance via text on Wednesday, September 27 or you can opt to receive your tickets in advance via USPS, on Wednesday, September 20. You will be contacted in advance for this information.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, Spirituality, and Business)