In the upcoming issue I have a story about Iraqi-American musician Amir ElSaffar, whose stunning Two Rivers is a rigorous, beautiful mix of jazz and Iraqi maqam. He’ll give it its local debut with a 15-piece ensemble (which includes his regular sextet) at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on Thursday evening. In case you’d like a little taste before then, here’s a track from the album.
Amir ElSaffar, “Diaspora”