Performers:

Ameer Armaly (oud, vocals)

Sarah Mueller (violin)

Angie Assal (percussion)

Join Palestinian-American blind oud player Ameer Armaly, along with collaborators Sarah Mueller and Angie Assal, for an evocative afternoon of Arabic music. The program highlights classical instrumental forms such as the samai and longa, whose origins trace back to the Ottoman era, as well as vocal forms like the muwashah—a richly structured poetic and musical tradition that dates as far back as Andalusia.

The concert also explores popular instrumental compositions from the early 20th century, reflecting a period of transformation and innovation in Arabic music. Throughout the performance, improvisation—a cornerstone of the Arabic musical tradition—will serve as a connective thread, bringing the repertoire to life with spontaneity and emotional depth.

Ameer Armaly was born in South Carolina and exposed to Arabic music from an early age through his uncle who played the oud. He then went on to study under Simon and Najib Shaheen. Ameer leads an Arabic music ensemble which performs regularly around the New York area, cultivating local talent and reviving the great Arabic songs of the twentieth century.

From Zayton to New York is a monthly concert series dedicated to the musical cultures of immigrants, presented by See See Records and held at Beef Up Noodle, a Chinese Muslim restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. It is a project of See & Sea Culture Foudation.

Curated by Mu Qian

Produced by Shi Qianyi