Projects
"Darash's best album to date, Andalusian Love Song continues his evolutionary path as composer and pianist."
"Darash leads from the front, his fluent, enchanting playing leading the large ensemble cast on a journey of adventure. But it’s how they take the listener with them that means so much. I feel fully immersed and totally involved in the music as I listen, completely captivated."
"As mentioned earlier, Avishai Darash has carried his musical mission statement with him for many years across a variety of impeccable releases but it's hard to imagine his vision being realised in a more appropriate way than what has been achieved with 'Andalusian Love Song'. It's inspired, it's joyful and very much a masterpiece"
"Darash's playing is deeply inspired with a richly melodic and narrative feel. His touch is magic. This album, in the lines of contemporary jazz, is impressive for the abundance of content and melodic elegance..."
"The result is warm, romantic and deep..."
"Andalusian Love Song", as a whole, is more than just a "song" of love. Instead, it is a declaration of cultural belonging, a spontaneous and internalized sharing that looks across and beyond geographical borders, traveling the circumnavigation of all the musical variables that cross the territory from Israel to Europe to North Africa."
"This is a band with REAL chemistry"
A 17 piece orchestra lead, composed and arranged by Avishai Darash. Release date - 15th of January 2022. The album features the concept of Avishai and his ode to Andalusian music in connection to its influence on western classical music. Featured soloists: Mohamed Ahaddaf, Arin Keshishi, Yoran Vroom, Pablo Martinez and Maripepa Contreras.
"Andalusian Love Song" was realised with the support of the music production fund "Sena" and the Marmoucha Foundation (the Marmouca Foundation is supported by AFK and FPK).
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Andalusian Love Song - Live at the BIMHUIS - Amsterdam, May 07, 2022. After a long awaited time off stage, the Marmoucha Orchestra returned to the legendary BIMHUIS with a full 16 piece orchestra in this live album featuring compositions, arrangement and direction by Avishai Darash. The show featured soloists Mohamed Ahaddaf, Arin Keshishi, Oene Van Geel, Antonio Moreno Galzkov, Pablo Martinez and an arrangement of Darash's tune "The Day After" by Maripepa Contreras.
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The Guembri player, Mehdi Nassouli, stands as the future of Gnawa music. With a steadfast commitment to preserving traditional Moroccan music, he skillfully integrates his passion with Jazz, Classical, and Pop influences, exemplified in his collaborative "Sahara Koyo," alongside the Marmoucha Orchestra.
In his remarkable career, Mehdi has collaborated with an array of distinguished artists, including Herbie Hancock, Fatoumata Diawara, Alpha Blondy, and Nneka, adding noteworthy experiences to his impressive CV. On "Sahara Koyo," in addition to playing the Guembri, Mehdi showcases his unique vocal style, mastery of Krakebs, Taarija, and Ghaita, and contributes to compositions and arrangements. This collaborative effort is a result of the combined talents of Mehdi Nassouli and Marmoucha Orchestra's Artistic Director, Avishai Darash, along with arrangers Maripepa Contreras, Arin Keshishi, and Oene Van Geel. The album was released on March 26th, 2022.
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Released on February 4, 2021, 'Modes of MaQamat' is the debut nine-piece album from the Marmoucha Orchestra, featuring a collaborative ensemble of renowned artists such as Mehdi Nassouli, Ahmed Chawki, Abir El Abed, and others. Crafted by Avishai Darash and Maripepa Contreras, the album explores diverse musical styles, including Sharquie, Gnawa, Riff pop, Arab Pop, Classical Andalusian, Mena Jazz, and Tarab. This project, made possible with the support of AFK (Amsterdams Fonds Voor de Kunsten) as part of a COVID stimulus program, serves as a musical bridge, introducing Middle Eastern and North African styles to a new European audience.
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Mythical birds, poems, and music from the Middle East and North Africa serve as the inspiration for the musical exploration undertaken by Iranian/Armenian bassist Arin Keshishi and the Marmoucha Orchestra. The Simurgh Project involves experimentation and improvisation with musicians and singers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Embark on a journey with the Marmoucha Orchestra and Arin Keshishi from Iran to the Maghreb, filling your ears with a unique fusion of Arabic classical, jazz, contemporary, and traditional music. The album has been live recorded in the Paradiso (Amsterdam) and TivoliVredenburg (Utrecht) and has been released on September 4th 2021.
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During Times of COVID, the Marmoucha Orchestra took the opportunity of the lock downs and created a 5 track EP featuring the soon-to-be collaborations which took place between the years 2021-2023. Avishai has directed the project and contributed with arrangements, compositions and solos.
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Collaborating with the Marmoucha Orchestra, Mohamed Ahaddaf introduces his latest album, 'ANA W’INTA.' As the fourth installment from the skilled ud player and composer, who joined the Marmoucha Orchestra in 2019, Ahaddaf showcases his mastery in Andalusian culture and Arabic music. Having performed globally, including renowned events like the Ud Festival in Tétouan, Morocco, and in countries such as Israel, South Korea, and the United States, Ahaddaf brings a wealth of experience to his new work. 'ANA W’INTA,' translating to 'You and I' in Arabic, is a deeply personal album where each song represents a significant occurrence in the talented ud player's life. The album was produced and lead by Avishai Darash as a part of his commissioned work for the Marmoucha Orchestra. Arrangements and co-compositions were done by Maripepa Contreras, Arin Keshishi and Avishai Darash Released June 3rd 2023.
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Abir El Abed's debut album, in collaboration with the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, marks a captivating exploration of traditional Andalusian music. Led by Violinist and composer Abderrahim Semlali and Ahmed Elmaai, the project seamlessly integrates both traditional and modern instruments from the East and the West. Avishai Darash, contributing with his piano playing and several arrangements, enhances the album with a contemporary touch, enriching the ancient sound. Released on November 20th, 2017, this album showcases a harmonious fusion of historical melodies with a modern twist.
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In ZIEL or ROUH (the Arabic word for 'soul'), two distinct disciplines engage in a captivating dialogue: the music of Al-Andalus intertwines with contemporary dance, colliding, resonating, searching, and ultimately finding common ground in this performance. Two disciplines, representing separate civilizations, thought frameworks, and traditions, converge to create a synergy that transcends a mere sum of its parts. Notably, the arrangements for this innovative collaboration were crafted by Avishai Darash, who also contributed his piano artistry to the album. Released on December 18th, 2018, the album is a testament to the harmonious fusion of diverse artistic elements.
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The debut album by the Ahaddaf Quartet, released on November 9th, 2014, introduces the modern compositions of Moroccan oud virtuoso and composer Mohamed Ahaddaf. Collaborating with Stephan Raidl, Ulad Aksunger, and featuring arrangements and piano by Avishai Darash, the album marked the commencement of an extensive tour, covering countries such as Israel, South Korea, Belgium, and Germany. Recognized for its excellence, the album was selected by World Music Forum as one of the top 10 releases in the Netherlands for world music and jazz in December 2014.
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The latest quartet album by composer and oud virtuoso Mohamed Ahaddaf is a testament to his musical prowess. With arrangements and production by pianist Avishai Darash, and contributions from drummer Francesco Bongiorno and bassist Matt Adomeit, the album, released on September 27th, 2016, received support from the regional funds of Amsterdam. It has earned critical acclaim, particularly within the international oud community.
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