The founder of Muslim music group The Ensemble Al-Kindi
wasn’t always a Muslim. When French musician Julienne Eddine
Weiss did decide to convert to Islam, it was because of his
fascination with the culture of the religion, rather than interest
in its laws.
UCLA Live presents The Ensemble Al-Kindi and the Whirling
Dervishes of Damascus on Saturday at Royce Hall in a show Weiss
hopes will express the groups’ passion for the beauty of the
music of Islamic culture. The performance will display the music
and dance of the Sufi sect of Islam.
Shiekh Hamza Shakkur, a featured vocalist for the Ensemble
Al-Kindi, uses his smooth, wide-ranged voice to chant sacred words
in an effort to bring the peace of an enlightened state to the ears
of listeners. On a similar spiritual note, the dancing of the
Whirling Dervishes of Damascus is used to express an attempt to
escape normal consciousness so that one can connect with God.
Members of the Ensemble Al-Kindi include Aleppo lute player
Mohamed Qadri Dalal, Egyptian percussionist Adel Shams el-Din,
Damas flute player Ziad Kadi Amin and Iraqi joza player Mohamed
Gomar Al-Bawi. The ensemble played without a singer for eight years
before getting renowned vocalist Shakkur to join them in 1991.
The ensemble’s focus is primarily on the aesthetic culture
of Islam, creating tension between them and Muslim extremists who
disagree with the Sufi disregard of Islamic law.
“I am a poetic Muslim,” Weiss said. “I am not
as concerned with the laws of the religion. I am most attracted to
the trance and love of God. The extremists don’t like our
music. They think we’re too happy all the time.”
On the other hand, Weiss has found that his music has been
well-received in the United States, despite the heightened tension
between the United States and Islamic nations.
“People want to learn about Islam,” Weiss said.
“(The performance) is an interesting way to discover a really
sophisticated music and culture.”
And while the music of The Ensemble Al-Kindi is rooted in
religion, Weiss emphasized that he is not trying to convert
listeners to Islam, but is strictly interested in exposing people
to the beauty of the Sufi music he has learned to appreciate in his
own personal life.
Originally from Paris, Weiss discovered the spirit of Arabic
culture from famous flute player Munir Bhashir. Weiss said he was
instantly captured by the beauty of the culture. He began as a
guitarist, and 27 years ago turned to playing the zither, another
string instrument. Weiss studied the zither in six different
countries, including Egypt, Syria and Tunisia, and went on to found
The Ensemble Al-Kindi in 1983.
The group, having traveled throughout Europe and the Middle
East, hopes to show audiences the Sufi pathway to a union with God
through music that is rarely heard in the West.
In a time where many types of world music, from Indian to Latin
American, are becoming more popular, Weiss believes classical
Arabic music should have the same exposure. His mission is to
educate the public so that it might grow to appreciate Sufi
music.
“I am mystic with music,” Weiss said. “I am
only interested in showing the beauty of the culture of Sufi
spiritualism.”