GEORGE TOWN: The passionate Spanish flamenco and the soulful Andalusi music of Morocco (known as al-ala) will be combined and presented by the Chekara Andalusi Orchestra of Tétouan this weekend during the George Town Festival (GTF).
The group's second project 'Tan cerca, tan lejos' (So near, so far) will make its Southeast Asian debut at the festival here, with Chekara offering a natural synthesis of various musical forms as it preserves the rich musical heritage of Christians, Moriscos and Gypsies.
"Produced with Estrella Morente, who has been described as “flamenco royalty” and is the voice behind Penélope Cruz’s flamenco song in Volver, this project pays homage to the famous flamenco figure Enrique Morente," said GTF director Joe Sidek.
"Chekara," added Sidek, "is the definitive name of the project headed by Jallal Chekara and formed by musicians from the Ensemble Chekara Andalusí de Tétouan.
"On this tour, Jallal Chekara, violinist, singer and director of the orchestra, will be accompanied by José Manuel Tudela on guitar, singer (cantaora) Rosa de Algeciras and dancer (bailaora) Mari Ángeles Gabaldón," he added.
The orchestra has reportedly given over 250 performances at events and festivals around the world, including the 2nd Northern Morocco-Andalusia Cultural Industries Gathering in Córdoba, Spain, Strasbourg Music Festival in France and the US' Flamenco Festival in New York and Washington, respectively.
In sharing a brief history of these artforms, Jallal said in a statement:
"Andalusi music and flamenco music are quite similar because of the time the ancient Arabs spent in Andalusia (in Spain).
"The al-ala music was born there, and the melodies and rhythms in flamenco and in Andalusi music are alike.
"We find rhythms of flamenco in al-ala and rhythms of al-ala in flamenco.”
On the title of the show, Jallal said was called said also touched 'So near, so far’ because Spain and Morocco were very close in distance, from shore to shore.
"We are also close in terms of rhythms and melodies – Andalusi music was born in Granada and from there, passed to Morocco. So, we are very very close. We are ‘far’ in terms of our languages and thoughts, and our cultural differences," he added.
"We are very happy to host Chekara, the oldest and most outstanding Flamenco/Andalusi group, and hope that viewers enjoy this introduction to a vibrant, unique artform," Sidek said.
The shows will be staged at the Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang Town Hall tomorrow and Saturday from 7pm to 8.15pm.