Global Union
Saturday, September 13, 2008, 1:00 p.m.
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Lamajamal combines a wide variety of musical styles, instruments, rhythms and songs into one universal expression. The goal of the group is to display musically how specific traditions from around the world can harmonize with each other. Their current sound is influenced by music from the Balkans, Turkey, North Africa, and the Middle East, as well as a touch of 60’s “Surf Sound.” Whether playing a dabke dance from the Levantine region or an odd meter Balkan folk tune, Lamajamal never fails to get the crowd on their feet taking the listener on a musical journey from the Black Sea to the Nile.
The group formed in 2004 after meeting for late night jam sessions at a local bellydance store in Chicago. With each member trained in different musical traditions, they chose to forge these styles to find historical and musical commonalities. Their name is palindrome for the Arabic word for beauty, “jamal”. The play on words symbolizes the use of universal sounds and syllables found in languages of the world.
Lamajamal has established themselves as a renowned name in the world music sphere, playing the 2006 and 2007 Chicago World Music Fest, the Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, Chicago Turkish Festival, the Chicago Arabesque Festival, the Chicago Cultural Center, CBS Morning News, the Chicago Middle East Music Ensemble’s concert of Ottoman & Turkish Music, Greek Archdiocese Byzantine Remembrance Ceremony, Xauen music’s Chicago Arabesque, and other Chicago venues like the Empty Bottle, the Hideout, and Martyrs’. They have quickly gained the reputation as one of the most energetic live “gypsy party” bands in the Midwest.