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The
Light Of East
Ensemble
is an instrumental group based in London, Ontario. The
band performs music from the Near and Middle East,
including traditional, folk, classical Arabic, Greek
Rembetika, and modern urban music
of the 20th century from
regions such as Armenia,
Greece (Asia Minor -
Smyrni, and Konstantinoupoli), Turkey, and
other Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt,
Lebanon, Israel and Syria. The band also performs
Sephardic Music.
The music may not be what Western listeners grew up
hearing, but the rhythms and melodies are instantly
captivating and listeners are quickly drawn into the
intensity of the music. For people of Near East and
Middle East descent, the music becomes a vehicle for a
nostalgic journey back to their home country as they
experience melodies and rhythms they may not have heard
in a live performance for many years. Every show finds
such audience members expressing their delight in
hearing the ensemble play popular pieces from their
homeland.
The Light of East Ensemble has appeared in various
venues in Southwestern Ontario. Past appearances include
performances at the Aeolian Performing Arts Centre, TD
Canada Trust Sunfest, Sunfest World Music and Jazz
Series 2009 - 2010, Home County Folk Festival, Mill Race
Folk Festval, Stratford Summer Music Festival, Museum
London, War Memorial Hall, Innes Town Hall, and the
River Run Centre. Light of East also performs
educational concerts for schools.
The Light of East Ensemble was nominated for both a Jack
Richardson Music Award and a London Music Award in 2008
and 2011
The musicians in Light of East come from different
musical backgrounds and experiences but all share a love
for the music. Their passion for the exotic sounds of
the music they create is immediately apparent to the
listener. CBC’s “In Town and Out”, “Bandwidth”, and “The
Bridge”, have broadcast their music.
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