Jon Balke

Hafla is the third album from Norwegian keyboardist-composer-arranger Jon Balke’s Siwan, launched in 2007 as a meeting point for musicians of strikingly different backgrounds and experiences. Siwan celebrates the concept of coexistence and cooperation, making the case for the positive attributes of cultural diversity, as it looks back into history and forwards towards new models for shared work. The legends and the poetry of al-Andalus continue to inspire Balke and company, but this is contemporary music shaped by players who choose to listen, respond and adapt.

Jon Balke brings many musical aspects together in his writing for a unique ensemble that includes an Algerian lead singer, a kemençe player from Turkey, an Iranian master of the tombak, an innovative Norwegian drummer and an energetic string section of baroque specialists. The interweaving of their creative contributions – in a delicate play of textures, melodies and rhythms – underlines and envelops verses penned many centuries ago.

PERSONNEL:

• Jon Balke (keyboards, electronics, tombak)
• Mona Boutchebak (vocals, quitra)
• Derya Turkan (kemençe)
• Bjarte Eike (Baroque violin)
• Helge Norbakken (percussion)
• Pedram Khavar Zamini (tombak)
• Per Buhre (vocals, viola)

TRACKS:

• 01. Tarraquab
• 02. Enamorado de Júpiter
• 03. Mirada Furtiva
• 04. La Estrella Fugaz
• 05. Arrihu Aqwadu Ma Yakunu Li-Annaha
• 06. Diálogo en la Noche
• 07. Línea oscura
• 08. Saeta
• 09. Uquállibu
• 10. Wadadtu
• 11. Visita
• 12. Is there no way