An improvised piece for oud, saxophone and percussion, inspired by the Khaliji rhythms of the Arabian Gulf.

Brian Prunka, oud
Michael Jenner, saxophone

Khaliji

A solo oud improvisation in maqam nahawand.

Nahawand Taqsim

meditative oud tune accompanied by frame drum and viola.

Frame Drum - Rami El-Aasser
Leanne Darling - Viola
Brian Prunka - Oud, Composer


Three Wishes

A lively oud tune accompanied by viola and percussion in maqam bayati.

Oud, composition: Brian Prunka
Riq: Rami El-Aasser
Viola: Leanne Darling

Dance Bayati

An Andalusian-inspired piece for oud, accompanied by frame drum (Rami El-Aasser) and viola (Leanne Darling)




Image photo by Steven J. Dunlop (GFDL)

Sephardim

Fast-paced energetic oud tune in maqam suznak and bayati nawa, accompanied by viola and frame drum.  Rhythmic pattern is in 23/8.

Suznak

Inspired by classic Egyptian music from the 50s/60s, particularly the Raqs Sharqi (Bellydance) music of Mohamed Abdel Wahab and Farid El Atrache

Hijaz Nashaz

Inspired by the music of Moorish Spain, a time of intertwined cultures, with a mix of European and Arab elements.

Brian Prunka: oud, composition
Kenny Warren: muted trumpet 
Nathan Herrera: alto flute/bass clarinet
Apostolos Sideris: bass
George Mel: frame drum, cajon, ride cymbal 

Solos in order: Herrera (alto flute) Prunka (oud) and Warren (muted trumpet) 

Andalus

This tune is the oldest in Nashaz's repertoire, being Brian's first composition for oud (back in 1997).  It features a 13-beat rhythmic cycle drawn from the traditional Arabic Muwashshah repertoire and improvisations on oud, percussion and trumpet.

Brian Prunka: oud, composition
Kenny Warren: trumpet 
Nathan Herrera: alto sax/bass clarinet 
Apostolo Sideris: bass 
Vin Scialla: riq
Goerge Mel: udu drum, ride cymbal

Solos in order: Prunka (oud), Warren/Mel (Trumpet and udu drum together

City of Sand

One of Nashaz's signature extended compositions, the main theme is based on the 10/8 Iraqi rhythm known as Jurjina, with a saxophone solo and middle section using the 4/4 dance rhythm commonly known as Baladi. The trumpet responses in the middle section are a typical feature of Arabic music, called "lazimat".

Jurjina

This bright uptempo 7/8 tune is in the Maqam ‘Ajam, which is similar to the Western major key. Meaning, more or less, non-Arab or foriegn, it was written by Prunka when a former bandmate said he wanted to have some more contrast in the repertoire. Just to keep things interesting, the tune modulates to the stereotypical Arabic maqam Hijaz for Herrera's saxophone solo.

Brian Prunka: oud, composition
Kenny Warren: trumpet
Nathan Herrera: alto sax
Apostolos Sideris: bass
George Mel: cajon, ride cymbal ,snare drum

‘Ajam

Inspired by the Afro-Arabic music of Sudan and Morocco, particularly the music of Abdel Gadir Salim and Slah Eddine Manaa.

Brian Prunka, oud, composition
Kenny Warren, trumpet
Nathan Herrera, alto sax
Apostolos Sideris, bass
George Mel: frame drum, brushes, cajon, ride cymbal (Mel)

Solos in order: Sideris (bass) Prunka (oud) and Warren/Herrera (trumpet/sax together) 

Khartoum

Inspired by the music of the great oudist and composer Mohamed el Qassabji, who often incorporated interesting chromatic melodies that sound possibly jazz-inspired.

“I imagined Qassibji having a dream where he time travels to now, hearing this piece of music and being slightly bewildered and horrified by what he inspired”—Brian

Brian Prunka: oud, composition
Kenny Warren: trumpet
Nathan Herrera: alto sax 
Apostolos Sideris: bass
Vin Scialla: riq
George Mel: cajon, ride cymbal ,snare drum 

Solos in order: Sideris (bass), Warren/Herrera (Tpt/Sax together), Prunka (oud) 

Qassabji's Nightmare

Meaning "the unseen" and referring to the supernatural world beyond the senses encompassing the Djinn and other figures from Arabic folklore, this is a medium tempo tune that primarily features hypnotic seven-beat groove not found in traditional Arabic music, devised by Prunka.

Brian Prunka: oud, compositions
Kenny Warren: trumpet 
Nathan Herrera: bass clarinet 
Apostolos Sideris: bass
Vin Scialla: riq
George Mel: frame drum, cajon, ride cymbal, pandeiro. 

Solos in order: Mel (Frame Drum/Pandeiro), Prunka (oud), Herrera (bass clarinet) 


Al-Ghayb

Instrumental Doulab with improvisations by Trumpet and Saxophone.

Brian Prunka, oud, composer
Kenny Warren, trumpet
Nathan Herrera, alto sax
Apostolos Sideris, bass
Vin Scialla, riq
George Mel, frame drum, cajon, cymbal

Doulab Suzidil

Oudist, composer and jazz guitarist Brian Prunka.  These are various tracks from different projects, all featuring original music.  


Photo Credit: Michael Dominici 
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3097438

Jazz Oud - Nashaz

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