Layale Chaker & Sarafand with Kinan Azmeh Playbill 02/16/24

a c i s PHOTO CREDIT: ANNA RAKHVALOVA

MODLIN ARTS PRESENTS

LAYALE CHAKER AND SARAFAND WIT H K I NAN A ZMEH February 16, 2024 | 7:30 PM Camp Concert Hall

UN I VE R SI TY of RICHMOND MODLIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Thank You

THIS ENGAGEMENT OF

L AYA L E C H A K E R A N D SA R A FA N D W I T H KINAN AZMEH IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF

Clinton Webb Fund THANKS TO OUR 2023 -2024 MODLIN ARTS PRESENTS SEASON SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Louis S. Booth Arts Fund E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Cultural Affairs Committee Department of Music, University of Richmond Dewitt Fund for the Arts A. Dale Mayo Fund Virginia B. Modlin Endowment H. Gerald Quigg Arts Endowment Norman and Gay Leahy William and Pamela O’Connor

elcome

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE OUR 2023-2024 SEASON! At Modlin Center for the Arts, we are committed to providing the University of Richmond campus and our broader community with the best in diverse, thought-provoking, and captivating performances. Each season is cultivated with our attention to showcasing artists who provide insight into our shared humanity.

At the University of Richmond, we pledge to you—our patrons and partners, on campus and in our region—that the arts will provide broad access to rich voices, creative passion, and unforgettable experiences.

Modlin is more than our presenting series.

We operate as the home for our academic partners within the School of Arts & Sciences, providing spaces for conversation, connection, and collaboration across disciplines. Explore the full range of opportunities from the Department of Music, Department of Theatre & Dance, and University Museums. Don’t miss the extensive calendar of FREE concerts, performances, and exhibits, and make plans to join us.

I hope that you will also consider a contribution to the Modlin Center for the Arts. Your backing is a vital endorsement of the value that Modlin contributes to our cultural landscape. We are deeply grateful to have you include Modlin in your cultural investments. Thank you for being a valued member of our community of the arts.

I look forward to seeing you at Modlin performances in 2023-24 and to hearing what moves you this year!

Paul Brohan, Executive Director

MODLIN ARTS

AUGUST 2023

2023/24 Calendar

Queer Pioneers: LGBTQ+ History Through the Photographs of Robert Giard On view 28 Aug - 8 Dec

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Making Your Mark: Prints and Drawings from the Hechinger Collection On view 28 Aug - 8 Dec

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Crystals: Minerals from the Collection On view through 4 May

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Therefore I Am: Portraits from the Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center On view through 30 Jun

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FALL P Ticketed: Paid  F Free: Tickets/Registration Required 

 Free: No Tickets/Registration Required F

 Modlin Arts Presents  Department of Theatre and Dance  Department of Music  University Museums  Tucker Boatwright Festival

SEPTEMBER David Esleck Trio Thu 7 Sep 7:30pm

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Marty Stuart Thu 14 Sep 7:30pm

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Volcano Theatre, Book of Life Sat 23 Sep 7:30pm

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We All Break & Leyla McCalla Thu 28 Sep 7:30pm

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Family Weekend Concert Fri 29 Sep 7:30pm

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OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Rhiannon Giddens & The Legendary Ingramettes Sun 1 Oct 7pm

ShoutHouse Fri 3 Nov 7:30pm

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Jazz & Contemporary Combos Wed 8 Nov 7:30pm

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J’Nai Bridges, Mezzo-Soprano Thu 9 Nov 7:30pm

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Terence Blanchard, Fire Shut Up in My Bones Sun 12 Nov 7:30pm

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Sky Hopinka: Masterclass and Film Screening Mon-Wed 13–15 Nov

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Popular Music Ensemble Tue 14 Nov 7:30pm

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White Pearl Thu-Sat 5-7 Oct 7:30pm Sun 8 Oct 2pm

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Company SBB // Stephanie Batten Bland, Embarqued: Stories of Soil P Fri Oct 6 7:30pm  The Acting Company, Odyssey Wed 11 Oct 7:30pm

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Sankai Juku, KŌSA– between two mirrors Thu 19 Oct 7:30pm

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Davison Plays Davison Fri 20 Oct 7:30pm

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13th Annual Celebration of Dance @ UR! Sat 21 Oct 7:30pm

Jazz Ensembles: Little Big Band with Black & White Wed 15 Nov 7:30pm  F

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Kiara Vigil: Keynote Lecture Thu 16 Nov 4:30pm

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Fairview Thu-Sat 16-18 Nov 7:30pm Sat 18 - Sun 19 Nov 2pm

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Global Sounds Sun 19 Nov 3pm

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UR Wind Ensemble Mon 20 Nov 7:30pm

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Canadian Brass, Holiday Show Wed 29 Nov 7:30pm

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Family Arts Day: Barefoot Puppet Theatre, New Squid on the Block Sun 22 Oct 1pm-4pm

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Kenny Barron Voyage Trio Wed 25 Oct 7:30pm

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Inon Barnatan, Alisa Weilerstein & James Ehnes, Swan Song, The Schubert Project P Fri 27 Oct 7:30pm  Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale Sun 29 Oct 3pm

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DECEMBER 50th Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols Sun 3 Dec 5pm, 8pm

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Chamber Ensembles Mon 4 Dec 7:30pm

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University Symphony Orchestra Wed 6 Dec 7:30pm  F

MODLIN ARTS

JANUARY 2024

2023/24 Calendar

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Max Roach Centennial P Thu 25 Jan 7:30pm 

SPRING P Ticketed: Paid  F Free: Tickets/Registration Required  F Free: No Tickets/Registration Required 

 Modlin Arts Presents  Department of Theatre and Dance  Department of Music  University Museums  Tucker Boatwright Festival

Richard Becker Piano Concert Wed 31 Jan 7:30pm

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FEBRUARY Hamid Rahmanian, Song of the North Fri 2 Feb 7:30pm

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Paul Hanson Piano Concert Sun 4 Feb 3pm

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Layale Chaker & Sarafand, with Kinan Azmeh Fri 16 Feb 7:30pm

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Emily Riggs, soprano Sun 18 Feb 3:00

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Zuill Bailey, Cello Wed 28 Feb 7:30pm

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Yiman Wang: Keynote Lecture Tue 20 Feb 12pm

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Alexa Joubin: Keynote Lecture Thu 22 Feb 12pm

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MARCH

APRIL

MOVING | BODIES BODIES | MOVING University Dancers 39th Annual Concert Fri-Sat 1-2 Mar 7:30pm Sun 3 Mar 2pm

Emanuel Ax, Piano Fri 5 Apr 7:30pm

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UR Wind Ensemble Mon 8 Apr 7:30pm

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UR Jazz & Contemporary Combos Thu 11 Apr 7:30pm

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Doris Wylee-Becker Piano Concert Sun 3 Mar 3pm

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Richmond Piano Trio Mon 4 Mar 7:30pm

Natu Camara Fri 12 Apr 7:30pm

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Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale Sun 14 Apr 3pm

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Popular Music Ensemble Tue 16 Apr 7:30pm

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UR Symphony Orchestra Wed 17 Apr 7:30pm

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Everybody 18-20 Apr 7:30pm 21 Apr 2pm

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Danish String Quartet Sat 20 Apr 7:30pm

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Global Sounds Sun 21 Apr 3pm

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UR Chamber Ensembles Mon 22 Apr 7:30pm

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Cuban Spectacular Thu 25 Apr 7:30pm

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Martha Graham Dance Company Fri 22 Mar 7:30pm Brad Mehldau, Piano Sun 24 Mar 7:30pm Chris Thile, Mandolin Wed 27 Mar 7:30pm

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PHOTO CREDIT: ANNA RAKHVALOVA

MODLIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS PRESENTS LAYALE CHAKER AND SARAFAND with KINAN AZMEH “Radio Afloat”, the vision of a radio lost at sea, evokes a reflection on the intertwined destinies of people and the natural world, which manifest even louder in times of collective pain; a commentary on the ebb and flow of politics of power and conflict that further the vulnerability of the land and those who tend to it.

Conceived as a suite of intersecting movements, it echoes “The Trace of Blue Passion”, a poem by Lebanese author Ounsi el-Hage: “... And just as birds flock wisely I trekked from ocean to ocean From peak to branch From night to night to night Until I was hit With the prestige of sweet madness.

After we witnessed the extent of birds’ wisdom I remind you that it is in the nature of creatures To harm themselves.

I was a turtle on the rocks Engraved on tree trunks and bolsters Engraved on rings

Engraved on the ankles of mountains.

And I saw space So I saw space And when I saw its beauty, I fell in love with a dove who carried me.

And when she smelled, adoringly, the earth on me She laid me down in the soil And from the dove I raised myself...” (translated from Arabic by Sara Elkamel) This project is scored for Sarafand, a chamber jazz quintet led by violinist and composer Layale Chaker.

Tonight’s performance will run approximately 80 minutes, without intermission.

Violinist and composer Layale Chaker was raised on the verge of several musical streams since her childhood. She debuted her musical training at the National Higher Conservatory of Beirut in her native Lebanon, and later went on to pursue her studies at Conservatoire Regional de Paris and the Royal Academy of Music in London. Upon her move to New York City in 2018, she founded a chamber jazz quintet called Sarafand.

It reflects Layale’s musical realm, spanning from Arabic Maqam to Jazz, free improvisation and contemporary classical, while improvisational moments weave in the individual voices, influences and experiences of the ensemble’s members.

PHOTO CREDIT: LITTLE OLIVE

PHOTO CREDIT: ANNA RAKHVALOVA

Sarafand features Jake Charkey (cello), Sam Minaie (bass), Phillip Golub (piano) and John Hadfield (drums). 2019 saw the release of “Inner Rhyme”, woven as a suite that explores the sounds, rhythms, rhymes, shapes and forms of Arabic poetry. This album was released on In a Circle Records (Silkroad & Yo Yo Ma, Brooklyn Rider..), and listed as “Top of The World”

by Songlines with a 5-star review, rated #2 on NPR 10 Best Releases, #1 for several weeks on the World Charts of iTunes and Amazon Music, and has received praises by the BBC Music Magazine, The New York Times, The Strad, Strings Magazine, and Jazz World among others.

The ensemble has since performed in venues such as National Sawdust, The Stone, the MET, Classical:NEXT, MetaalKathedral Utrecht, Peniche Anako (Paris), Morgenland Festival (Germany), Brighton Festival (UK), Hancher Auditorium, DROM, City of Asylum, Marlboro Festival, WQXR-The Greene Space, New Sounds, among others. “Radio Afloat” was developed during Layale’s year-long residency with WQXR in 2022.

As a violinist and composer, Layale has received commissions and presented performances and projects around Europe, the Middle-East, North and South America and Asia, and has collaborated with Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Ziad Rahbani, Johnny Gandelsman, Holland Baroque, International Contemporary Ensemble, Oxford Orchestra, the New World Symphony, Babylon Orchestra, performing at the London Jazz Festival, Alderburgh Festival, Junger Kunstler Festival Bayreuth, the Lucerne Festival for Contemporary Music. A 2020-2022 Jerome Hill Fellow and winner of the Silkroad Seeds inaugural

2020 award, Layale is also recipient of the Opera America Dicovery 2022 award, a Nadia et Lili Boulanger 2019 laureate, finalist of the Rolex Mentor & Protege 2018 Prize, the recipient of the Diaphonique Franco-British Commission Prize 2019, the 2018 Arab Fund for Arts and Culture Grant, the Royal Academy of Music 2018 Guinness Award, and the winner of the Ruth Anderson 2017 Competition.

LAYALE CHAKER, Violin Born in Paris but raised in Lebanon, composer and violinist Layale Chaker was raised speaking multiple languages, both linguistically and musically. Her complex sound universe, described by NPR as “beguiling” with “bright and beautiful strands… gorgeous, wine-dark swirls,” lies at the intersection of classical contemporary music, jazz, Arabic music, and improvisation. A 2020-2022 Jerome Hill Fellow, Chaker is also recipient of the 2022 Opera America Discovery 2022 Award, among many other accolades.

PHOTO CREDIT: ANNA RAKHVALOVA

To open Chaker’s 2023-2024 season, she performs as violin soloist alongside Kinan Azmeh in the premiere performances of their Dawning with the New York Philharmonic and Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra.

Ruinous Gods, Chaker’s debut opera, will see its world premiere at the 2024 Spoleto Festival followed by its European premiere. A new double portrait album, featuring one disc of classical composition and one of jazz, is due on In a Circle Records in spring 2024.

Chaker’s chamber jazz quintet Sarafand takes on a residency with the University of Richmond in 2024 – exemplifying the quintet’s role within the “cultural aquifer,” or educational feeder system for future artists. The ensemble recently completed WQXR’s Artist Propulsion Lab, yielding a program of new works – called Radio Afloat – that has been recorded for an upcoming album release. Sarafand’s debut album Inner Rhyme (In a Circle Records) ranked #2 on NPR’s 10 Best Releases of 2019.

Learn more at www.layalechaker.com.

SARAFAND MEMBERS PHILLIP GOLUB is a composer and pianist based in New York. Phillip has released music in numerous formations as well as solo piano works. His music strides the boundary between the improvised and the notated. His musical practice centers around rethinking the rehearsal process as a site of musical sociality and collective creation.

Phillip was also the musical dramaturg and music PHOTO CREDIT: MARENA LIN coordinator for ... (Iphigenia), a new opera born out of a collaboration by Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding.

Cellist JAKE CHARKEY enjoys an eclectic career bouncing between various realms of music. Jake is a pioneer and innovator of techniques he has developed for rendering Hindustani music and a proponent of contemporary music, helping composers understand how to use this expanded cello vocabulary in their music. He regularly tours and collaborates with Adam Rudolph’s GO Organic Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Raga Massive, among many others.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARTIST

Composer and percussionist JOHN HADFIELD’s dedication to music has taken him to concert halls and clubs across the world. He has released three albums of his own compositions, and ability to cross genres has allowed him to appear with a broad range of artists around the world. He has collaborated on more than 100 recordings, including the GRAMMY award winner Yo-Yo Ma and Friends, Songs of Joy and Peace.

PHOTO CREDIT: CAROLYN MARDOK

Iranian-American bassist and producer, SAM MINAIE studied with Charlie Haden at California Institute of the Arts where he received his Master’s degree. Currently living in New York City, he has enjoyed touring and recording throughout the world with artists including Tigran Hamasyan, Kneebody, Donny McCaslin, Dhafer Youssef, Charlie Haden’s Liberation Orchestra (tuba), Peter Epstein,

PHOTO CREDIT: JEFF FOWLER

David Ake, Ravi Coltrane, Jeff Ballard, Nate Wood, Mark Guiliana, Patti Austin, Melody Gardot, Butch Morris, Tootie Heath, Jean-Michel Pilc, Ari Hoenig, Shai Maestro, Nate Wood, Ben Wendel, Houman Pourmehdi, Alfred Ladzekpo and numerous others.

GUEST SOLOIST KINAN AZMEH, Clarinet Hailed by critics and audiences alike, winner of Opus Klassik award in 2019 clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh has gained international recognition for his distinctive voice across diverse musical genres.

Originally from Damascus, Syria, Kinan Azmeh brings his music to all corners of the world as PHOTO CREDIT: LIUDMILA JERMEIS a soloist, composer and improviser. Notable appearances include the Opera Bastille, Paris; Tchaikovsky Grand Hall, Moscow; Carnegie Hall and the UN General Assembly, New York; the Royal Albert Hall, London; Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires; Philharmonie, Berlin; the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, Washington DC; the Mozarteum, Salzburg, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie; and in his native Syria at the opening concert of the Damascus Opera House.

He has appeared as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Bavarian Radio Orchestra, Dusseldorf Symphony, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, The Azerbaijan State Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, Toronto Symphony, A Far Cry, The Knights Orchestra, Calgary philharmonic, Qatar Philharmonic and the Syrian Symphony Orchestra among others, and has shared the stage with such musical luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma, Daniel Barenboim, Marcel Khalife, John McLaughlin, Francois Rabbath, Aynur and Jivan Gasparian.

Kinan Azmeh is a graduate of New York’s Juilliard School as a student of Charles Neidich, and of both the Damascus High institute of Music where he studied with Shukry Sahwki, Nicolay Viovanof and Anatoly Moratof, and Damascus University’s School of Electrical Engineering. Kinan earned his doctorate degree in music from the City University of New York in 2013.

His first opera “Songs for Days to Come” which is fully sung in Arabic, was recently premiered in Osnabruck, Germany in June 2022 to a great acclaim.

He has recently been appointed to the National Council for the Arts on a nomination by President Joe Biden.

Modlin Arts Presents ZUILL BAILEY, CELLO Wed 28 Feb 2024 Camp Concert Hall Bailey’s playing is a testament to the power of the cello to convey the full range of human emotion, from joy and exuberance to sorrow and longing. Natasha Peremski accompanies on piano.

MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY Fri 22 Mar 2024 Alice Jepson Theatre The legendary Martha Graham Dance Company presents a new collaboration by choreographer Jamar Roberts and composer Rhiannon Giddens.

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BRAD MEHLDAU, PIANO Sun 24 Mar 2024 Camp Concert Hall Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Brad Mehldau offers improvisation full of surprise and wonder, conmplemented by a rigorous appreciation of the formal architecture of music.

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