DHAHRAN: Music lovers in Dhahran had three opportunities to experience a fusion of sounds when Amsterdam’s Amstel Quartet — self-described as “the most colorful saxophone quartet in the world” — joined Moroccan singer Anass Habib on stage at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture.
“Stories of the Soul,” which had its final showing at Ithra on Aug. 26, has been a sonic exploration rooted in the revival of classic Arabic songs — and with a jazzy twist. A member of the quartet said at the start of the show: “We are thrilled to be at Ithra tonight, on our first tour in Saudi Arabia.
“We really love it here; thank you so much for your hospitality. This project is quite unusual, the combination of four saxophones and a Moroccan singer to play Arabic music. I don’t think it has ever been done before.”
The quartet’s journey weaving sounds to Arabic vocals began about five years ago when they listened to a song by Umm Kulthum — which is why they decided to start the show with her “Al-Nil” classic.
During a 26-year career, the award-winning saxophone quartet has made a habit of collaborating with composers from around the world. The musicians’ versatility has been key in communicating a wide range of styles as they have connected to audiences in a variety of genres, and languages.
Habib, the 43-year-old classically-trained singer from Fez, Morocco, typically sings in Arabic, Aramaic and Greek, but chose only Arabic songs for the show.
Habib introduced himself to the audience, and said: “I’m very happy to be here this evening with all of you in this journey with the songs (that are) pillars of Arabic music. “If you know the song and you want to sing along or to clap, feel free to do that.”
Although he gave the crowd full permission to join in, only a few hushed voices were audible for the first songs and applause was reserved until after the song was complete.
However, when Habib started singing Saudi Mohammed Abdu’s “Al-Amaken” in the middle of the set, the crowd found its voice and joined in.
The performers also played favorites from Sayid Darwish, Layla Mourad, Mahmoud Sobyh and Rabih Abou-Khalil. They also featured some Philip Glass and Abdelrahim Al-Masloub, and Fairuz, the “Cedar of Lebanon.”
The Dutch ensemble comprised Vitaly Vatulya on soprano saxophone, Olivier Sliepen on alto sax, Bas Apswoude on tenor saxophone and Harry Cherrin on baritone. The group originally met in 1997 after a tour with the National Youth Orchestra.
The repetitive notes that kept playing on loop almost put the audience in a sort of trance, while Habib’s vocals provided the main feature.
After the 11th and final song of the set, the crowd wanted more. A lone voice shouted “One more, one more” and Habib cheerfully huddled with the quartet to discuss what they could play next. They did two more songs, to the pure delight of the receptive fans who cheered through the entirety of the encore. At times, it turned into an impromptu singalong. Habib ended the show by saying he was humbled by the passionate reception from the enthusiastic audience, and while it was his first trip to Saudi, it surely will not be his last.
