By Mark Stryker, "University Musical Society cancels Friday’s concert of Qawwali music of Pakistan" - Detroit Free Press - Detroit, MI, USAWednesday, April 16, 2008
The University Musical Society in Ann Arbor has canceled Friday’s concert by Mehr and Sher Ali performing the Qawwali music of Pakistan
Five members of the nine-member group, including Sher Ali, were detained in Islamabad, Pakistan by the U.S. Embassy, which would not validate their visas, according to a UMS spokesperson.
UMS leaders, who have not be told why the musicians were detained, have contacted the Michigan office of Senator Carl Levin for help in resolving the problem but as of Wednesday afternoon no on there had learned more details either.
Other presenters across the country have made similar requests in recent days for help through their own congressional offices, but no one has received any information, said UMS public relations manager Jim Leija.
The producer of the tour, World Music Institute of New York, has likewise received no indication of the status of the detained musicians.
Qawwali music is the devotional music of Sufism, its roots stretching back to the 10th Century, and Mehr and Sher are recognized as masters of the vocal qualities and the mystical texts at the heart of the form.
Leija said that while the musicians who have arrived in the U.S. could have performed, the results would not meet the artistic expectations of UMS audiences.
[Read about Mehr & Sher Ali at the World Music Institute Website http://www.worldmusicinstitute.org/event.php?id=466].
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment