Featuring Ali Paris
Mingei International Museum
Cost: Free – RSVP required.
The CWM Music on the Move series commences with the captivating tale of Ali Paris, an acclaimed and award-winning Palestinian musician renowned for his mastery of the qanun, an Arab zither, and his soulful vocal performances. At this event, Ali Paris takes us on a remarkable journey from his homeland to the US, where he sought out artistic and educational opportunities by attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music and furthering his musical career. The presentation includes a moving testimonial and a captivating musical live performance by Ali and his all-star ensemble.
The event is hosted at the Mingei International Museum alongside the 25 Million Stitches exhibit highlighting the global refugee crisis through art. Ali’s musical journey shines a light on the hurdles he encountered as a young, gifted musician seeking musical opportunities outside of his homeland. While not himself a refugee, his story is one of perseverance and hope that resonates with many refugee and migrant stories. Ali Paris’s unwavering commitment to showcasing Arabic music in collaborations with international artists from diverse musical backgrounds and genres, such as Alicia Keys, Alejandro Sanz, and Bobby McFerrin, sends a powerful message of community, empowerment, and hope to those who have encountered similar struggles.
About Ali Paris
An internationally acclaimed musician and one of the foremost qanun players of his generation, Ali Paris is known for his exceptional mastery and innovative approach to the instrument. His technical prowess and emotive expression have garnered international acclaim, earning him numerous accolades and recognition from music industry luminaries. Renowned for his unique blend of ç and Western musical styles, Ali has captured the attention of audiences worldwide. He has been described as an “unrivaled unique artist” by the legendary Quincy Jones and “one of the most eclectic and diverse artists” by Grammy-winning artist Paul Simon, who attended many of Ali’s concerts at the Lincoln Center in New York.
Born in Morocco, Ali began his music education at the age of five, studying Arabic traditional music with master Simon Shaheen. By age nine, he was already performing in major concert halls, and by eleven, he had embarked on his first international European tour. Since then, Ali has gone on to receive numerous international accolades, including the prestigious Marcel Khalife Best Artist of the Year award for four consecutive years (2007-2010). He has expanded his musical career exponentially, earning a degree from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music on full scholarship and collaborating with a long list of world-renowned artists, such as the late Paco De Lucia, Buika, Alicia Keys, Bobby McFerrin, and Javier Limon.
Ali has performed at many prestigious venues, including the White House, the Newport and Montreux Jazz Festivals, and the Royal Palace in Jordan, where he played a solo performance for President Abbas of Palestine and Queen Rania of Jordan. He has also appeared as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Philharmonic and has been featured in the renowned Grammy-winning Spanish documentary “Entre2aguas,” as well as the Hollywood movie “Noah.” Ali’s performances are marked by his exploration of fertile ground between Eastern and Western cultures and music genres. He has collaborated with numerous world-renowned artists to benefit humanitarian causes such as Doctors Without Borders, Save a Child’s Heart, and Keep A Child Alive, and his performance with Alejandro Sanz have funded numerous humanitarian projects in Africa and the Middle East.
Today, Ali continues to tour extensively in the US, Europe, and the Middle East, captivating audiences with his musicianship and his commitment to bridging the divide between cultures and music genres.
