Arooj Aftab’s liminal sound floats between classical minimalism and new age, Sufi devotional poetry and electronic trance, jazz structures and states of pure being. NPR praised her single “Lullaby” as one of the “Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women+”; the New York Times called her “Island No. 2” one of the “25 Best Classical Music Tracks of 2018”; she has been awarded a 2020 Academy Award composing music for film. If that weren't enough—Barack Obama added Aftab to his 2021 Summer Playlist.
Raised in a music-loving family in Lahore, Pakistan, Aftab absorbed imported pop, south Asian classical music, and urdu poetry set to sound. In Pakistan, she recorded a humble and beautiful acoustic cover of “Hallelujah” that became a viral treasure. Moving to the US to attend the Berklee College of Music, her audio universe suddenly opened up, revealing abstract jazz and modern composition that would allow her to stretch her sense of song and magnificent voice into totally immersive states of being.
Now based in Brooklyn, Arooj Aftab and her quintet make her Florida debut with this concert at the Bandshell, en route to Big Ears Festival in Knoxville. This event continues the Rhythm Foundation's Axis of Love series.
About Axis of Love:
This concert is a part of the Rhythm Foundation’s continuing Axis of Love Series The series launched in 2017, with the goal of injecting positivity and empathy into the global conversation. It highlights artists from the Middle East and North Africa, creating a meditative space with instrumental, traditional and innovative sounds.
Age Appropriateness All Ages
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/arooj-aftab-vulture-prince/
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/02/arts/music/best-pop-albums.html
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/08/1060472107/arooj-aftab-tiny-desk-home-concert
Instagram Handle
https://www.instagram.com/aroojaftabmusic/
Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/aroojaftabmusic
Teens and young adults ages 13-22 can buy tickets for $5 using the Get Tickets button below. With the purchase of one $5 ticket for someone within the age range, a second $5 ticket can be purchased for an individual of any age to join them.
