Music without borders
Bow Church has kicked off an exceptional series of music events featuring congregation members performing in their beautiful setting.
Performances have included Es Martin & Friends featuring the Mark Hale Quartet — a night of Neo-Soul & jazz featuring original music & covers (both Esther and Mark are members of Bow) — with 100+ attendees, many of whom were students. A night of Opera & Musicals soon followed (Stages - Lawrence Olsworth-Peter - Tenor and Louisa Lam - Piano) with 60+ from the community participating.
Most recently, the team hosted NAFAS, led by congregant Mohamed Ghrab. The trio of musicians were all born and raised on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea. Their passion to revive traditional, classical and folk songs from all around the region has them gliding across borders and exploring the different cultures therein, be it Jewish, Arabic, Christian or Berber and Turkish.
NAFAS, ‘Breath’ in Arabic, featured a fascinating blend of rhythmic & diverse musical styles. With Mohamed on oud and accordion, and Turks Ozgur Saygili on saz and guitar and Yalcin Ozdemir on percussion, they truly enthralled the audience through a musical journey to unexpected places and fascinating histories.
