With the February 28 release of his 14th album Live in Berlin, clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh, accompanied by CityBand guitarists Kyle Sanna, John Meyers, and drummer John Hadfield, graced the stage at the packed dinner theater at Joe’s Pub and brought with them the sorrowful yet ever-strong soul of music from Azmeh’s home country of Syria—and so much more.

Kinan Azmeh: A World-Renowned Clarinetist and Composer

Azmeh, born in war-torn Damascus and now Brooklyn-based, is a world-renowned soloist and composer. He has played with the New York Philharmonic and as far away as the Syrian Symphony Orchestra. Over the years, he has shared the stage with musical greats such as Yo-Yo Ma, Aynur, and Jivan Gasparian, among others.

A Captivating Performance

Opening with Emotion: “The Queen Commanded” and “The Translator”

Azmeh opened the show with a clarinet solo, The Queen Commanded, a weeping and heartfelt tempo accompanied by the softness of drums. The performance rose to a sort of frenzy, then softly finished like the end of lovemaking.

The first song transitioned into the melody, The Translator, mesmerizing the audience with the haunting beauty of the two compositions. Azmeh expressed that his music presents the melody and tragedy of millions of perished Syrians.

Music Inspired by the Atrocities in Syria

Azmeh acknowledged that the horrors in Syria had inspired much of his music. He then added, “The dictator is gone, and the melody survived,” referencing the recent news that Assad had fled the country. His words were met with resounding applause.

Honoring a Lost Village: “Jizleen”

The song Jizleen was dedicated to a small town near Damascus, a village Azmeh once visited on weekends. He reminisced about planting trees and working the land with his family before the war devastated the village. The town was chemically attacked, and its trees bulldozed. The song pays homage to both the city and its lost beauty.

Celestial Sounds in “Galileo Galilee”

A celestial tune, Galileo Galilee, composed by guitarist Kyle Sanna, started with a sad weeping melody, the soft timbre of chimes, and the slight touch on the edge of the cymbals. The piece built to an increased tempo, with an explosive inclusion of clarinet, before ending with an intense call to the heavens. The interplay of drums and guitars delighted the audience.

Celebrating Life with “Wedding”

Perhaps the most inspiring piece of the night was Wedding. Azmeh described it as capturing the spirit of a Syrian village wedding, where the number of drinks consumed dictates the tempo.

Upcoming Tours and Final Thoughts

Kinan Azmeh and CityBand will be touring in several U.S. cities and Europe over the next few months. If you can, attend their concert as they pay homage to a country that needs to rebuild its soul and soil.

Album Release at Joe’s Pub

Kinan Azmeh and CityBand will be touring several U.S. cities and Europe in the next few months. Try to attend their concert as they pay homage to a country that needs to rebuild its souls and soil.

Kinan Azmeh and CityBand, featuring guitarists Kyle Sanna, John Meyers, and drummer John Hadfield, present their album release Live in Berlin at Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, NYC. Press by amt public relations.