Jiraan

Sirto

Jiraan is a music group that takes dialogue as a central theme, and seeks meeting points between the musicians and the different musical traditions they represent. And that’s how a very diverse group of Syrian, Turkish, Bulgarian, Iraqi and Belgian musicians find common ground, although they sometimes do not speak a common language.

Sirto is an instrumental form of music played in the Turkish, Greek and Arabic musical traditions and closely related to a folk dance in which the dancers join hands to form a chain or circle, led by a leader who occasionally breaks away to make improvised steps.

This dance is comparable to Hora in Balkam music and Dabke in Arab folk from Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. The project aim to expose the roots of this dance music and enter into a dialogue through improvisation, supported by a jazz sound.

Jiraan.net

Bio

Press

Pro

Shalan Alhamwy

Syrian violinist and composer. Studied classical and Arabic music in the Higher Music Institute of Damascus. Shalan masters both genres playing and composing. Wrote and arranged music for a plenty of orchestras, ensembles, singers, films and TV shows.
Plays among others with GFVP (Gent Folk Violin Project), Olla vogala, EPO (Expat Philharmonic Orchestra) and Damast Duo.
Former member of: The Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, The National Orchestra of Arabic Music and Damascus Chamber Orchestra.

Led by Shalan Alhamwy, the 12 masters represent a variety of traditions, playing Middle Eastern and Western instruments such as ney, oud, kanun, kemenche, contrabass, violins, singing, piano, accordion, frame drum, drum set, clarinet and saxophone. During the rehearsal and performance process, individual cultures melt away and a feeling of camaraderie emerges. Through improvisation, the group forms a non-hierarchical social microcosm based on compassion and connection in the collective pursuit of beauty. We want to say: Music rises above borders, politics and ideologies.

Greedy for Best Music

"Jiraan's debut full-length "Sirto" (or 'Syrtos', which is an instrumental form of music played in Greek, Turkish and Arabic music traditions) comprises 12 classical tracks with an audible oriental touch and jazzy hues, both appeasing and invigorating, depending on the song"

Full article

Luminous Dash

"Or what else can we do with the goosebumps that come in waves every time when listening to Hubava Si ('you are beautiful') or Zaydi Zaydi ('come in') an invitation that we gladly accept"

Full article