Hicham Chami Oriental Promises CD

Enchanting classical Arabic and Turkish music is performed by Hicham Chami on qanun accompanied by Catherine Alexander on hand drums. The qanun, derived from the ancient psaltery, is a plucked stringed instrument with roots in the Middle East.

Award-winning musician Hicham Chami, a native of Morocco now living in Chicago, has studied qanun since age eight. He performs throughout the U.S. and leads the Oriental Classical Ensemble of Chicago.

"This CD is a tribute to the rich tradition of Oriental instrumental music. In selecting the compositions for this CD, I chose works in classical genres (Bashrafs, Sama'is, Longahs) by renowned composers from various schools of music (Turkish, Egyptian, Armenian and Lebanese). This CD is a direct result of a collaboration that had its genesis at Simon Shaheen's Arabic Music Retreat, an annual gathering of people passionately interested in preserving traditional Oriental music." - Hicham Chami

“Hicham Chami is a truly gifted performer with a beautiful mastery found only in the most skilled and practiced musicians. His music is calming and exquisite in its subtlety.” - Lindsay Siegel, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs