For the 2014 edition, The Abu Dhabi Festival, organized by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), is thrilled to have facilitated a special collaboration between the revered jazz, fusion and funk icon Herbie Hancock and the sensational Emirati singer/songwriter Hamdan Al Abri. On the 21st of March UAE audiences will be treated to something truly unique as Herbie Hancock’s versatile and immensely original playing blends with Hamdan Al Abri’s much-loved vocal style, and combines with both artists’ interest in electronic and experimental music.

Destined to create an unforgettable experience, this collaboration defines the Festival’s commitment to setting up opportunities where major visiting artists perform alongside guest artists from the region.

These artistic collaborations allow for a meaningful interaction between different cultures, which forms the heart of the Festival’s vision, and create unique and exciting experiences for audiences and artists alike. Stand-out collaborations within the Festival’s history include Wynton Marsalis playing with the famous oud player, Nasser Shamma, and Gilberto Gil’s performance with the Egyptian singer Dina El Wedidi.

H.E. Mrs. Hoda I. Al Khamis - Kanoo, Founder and Artistic Director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “By investing in creativity, we nurture mutual understanding and cultural dialogue between countries and communities everywhere. In celebrating the universal nature of arts and cultural expression, the Abu Dhabi Festival seeks to bring together the world’s greatest musicians, performers and artists from both the East and West in the heart of the United Arab Emirates. It seeks to reflect the determination of the capital to take the lead in cultural understanding. These artistic collaborations bring this ethos to life and I can’t wait to see Herbie Hancock and Hamdan Al Abri to share their beautiful musical talents with the rest of the UAE.”

Mrs. Hoda I. Al Khamis – Kanoo also said: “This collaboration with rising young talent Hamdan Al Abri is a perfect expression of Herbie Hancock’s collaborative spirit and belief that “music truly is the universal language.”

Looking forward to the collaboration, Hamdan Al Abri, said: "It’s a huge moment in my career to be playing alongside a legend. I feel blessed and cannot wait to share the stage with Herbie Hancock"

Herbie Hancock was designated an honorary UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova in 2011. Recognizing Herbie Hancock’s “dedication to the promotion of peace through dialogue, culture and the arts,” the Director-General has asked the celebrated jazz musician “to contribute to UNESCO’s efforts to promote mutual understanding among cultures, with a particular emphasis on fostering the emergence of new and creative ideas amongst youth, to find solutions to global problems, as well as ensuring equal access to the diversity of artistic expressions.”

Herbie Hancock will be delivering on this vision with his Gulf World Premiere during the Abu Dhabi Festival in March.

Alongside performing with Herbie Hancock at this year’s Festival, audiences will be able to enjoy Hamdan Al Abri’s musical talents during his live jamming session at the education initiative The Space Sessions: Capital Vibes, taking place at The Space, TwoFour54 on Wednesday March 5, 6:00-9:00pm. For more information please contact education@admaf.org

The Festival begins on the 2nd March with its nationwide education and community programmes. Its main programme of performances by Herbie Hancock, Renée Fleming, Miloš Karadaglić, the American Ballet Theatre, European Union Youth Orchestra, Michel Fadel and others runs from 21st to 31st March, with Bill Fontana’s World Premier Exhibition continuing until 20th April.

Information on tickets, schedules, venues and upcoming performances can be found on the festival website: www.abudhabifestival.ae.
 

We accept Guest Posts

Download the Dubai City Guide iPhone mobile app

DubaiCityGuide.com is owned and managed by Cyber Gear