Music
Press
Photo - The Mushfiq Ensemble with the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada Omar Samad and his wife Korsheid Samad. (Photo, no press review of our performance) - EMBASSY - Canada's Foreign Policy Newsweekly. Date Oct 11, 2006
Said Hashimy of the Mushfiq Arts Company plays the tabla during the NAC Arts Fair. (Photo. No press review of our performance) - The Ottawa Citizen - Date: Sept 15, 2006
With great enthusiasm, compassion, humour and knowledge, Mushfiq Hashimi offers students new opportunities to see the world in different ways, encouraging them to take part in the making and appreciation of music. By introducing young ears, minds and hearts to diverse sounds and ideas, Mushfiq is able to explore and unfurl the unique aspects of each student’s personality, and bring the collective to a common place, where they are able to share, play and learn together. His dedication to promoting music education, by connecting with students and teachers in the community, is an outstanding example of the potential for creating change and positive action through expression and creativity. It was an honour to have Mushfiq Hashimi and the Mushfiq Ensemble as a part of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals’ community outreach program, ART BEAT, this year! Mushfiq’s ART BEAT workshops at Manor Park Public School in Ottawa culminated in beautiful and inspired performances and artwork, displaying both the results of Mushfiq’s pedagogy and the brilliance of youthful interpretation and imagination. - ART BEAT, Erin Barnhardt Ontario Council of Folk Festivals
"Meraqsam" is performed by Canada's Mushfiq. This is a soulful classical song, which is beautiful because of its simplicity. Although I'm not able to understand some of the Urdu lyrics, the vocal clarity is exquisite. The Tabla is strong without being overwhelming along with the harmonium's subtle accompaniment. Mushfiq is a vocal ensemble based in Ottawa lead by Ustad Moheb Hashimy, specializing in Afghani and Hindustani music styles. This is one of those songs you would enjoy listening to because it reminds you of a time where artists actually sang and paid attention to quality versus quantity.
- DESICLUB.com
Buzz Section, April 15, 2007
Mushfiq Ensemble brings taste of Afghan music to Toronto. By John Terauds - Toronto Star
Persian Calligraphy demonstration at the Museum of Civilization's Petra Exhibit (Quebec, Canada) - CBC Television
Artists like the Mushfiq Ensemble brought a touch of the Middle East to the stage, contrasting nicely with the bluegrass pickers and soulful acoustic folk music. Playing qawwali and a little Indian classical music, the Ottawa, Ontario-based but Afghani-bred act was nothing short of mesmerizing, even though no one could really understand the dialects of the lyrics, as lead singer Mushfiq Hashimi speaks about 8 languages over the course of a show.
Written by Josh Mintz
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
- American Journal of Jam and Roots: Honest Tune (Oxford, Memphis)
Mushfiq:
A belated thanks for performing at the 28th Annual Calgary Folk Music Festival and for your wonderful card...it was very sweet of you to send such thorough and glowing feedback! 50,000 folks over 4 days basking in the sunshine listening to the 67 artists we programmed was a glorious thing. There were so many great shows and fabulous sessions with the kind of collaborations that make me proud and thrill the audience. You did a wonderful job in your concerts and sessions. I thought the one with you, Moshav and the Crooked Jades was particularly strong. Canada’s lucky to have such fantastic, authentic global artists residing here. - Calgary Folk Music Festival staff
Discography
We have two CDs, each costing $15 plus $5 mailing cost. Please send us an email or give us a call and we'll be prompt in completing your order.
Dawn to Dusk (North Indian Classical)
Awakened Hearts (Deedaye Zinda Delan) - Afghan folk, Qawwalis, North Indian Ghazals. Languages include Farsi, Urdu and Pashtu.
Photos
Bio
CONTACT 613-521-2736 or 613-862-8856. Mushfiq@mushfiq.ca - we'll be happy to discuss bookings with you.
GENRES
Afghan folk, North Indian classical, light classical, ghazals, and Qawwalis.
12 LANGUAGES
Songs are performed in Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi, to mention a few. In additional to these languages we typically speak to audiences in English, French and Dutch.
VENUES
Festivals, Concert Series, House Concerts, Schools, etc. all venues (except bars) We have played for audiences of between 50 and 1,000.
WORKSHOPS
For children and adults (Reference: Info@ocff.ca). Learn a song (festival choirs), clap-along Indian rhythm session, Indian solfege, Raga moods and appropriate time of day for each, etc.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Includes - master classes, performances in community social or cultural organizations, interviews, and exclusive events for VIP members, sponsors, volunteers. Plus - Afghan calligraphy or henna applications can be offered.
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS
(Click on the Calendar icon above)
INDIVIDUAL BIOS
Said Mushfiq Hashimi, lead vocalist and harmonium player, is a disciple of Pt. Ajoy Chakraborthy, the torchbearer of the Patiala Gharana. S. Mushfiq received his Masters degree from the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music in Holland. Mushfiq is also the founder of the Mushfiq Arts Company in Ottawa, which is an arts centre that specializes in teaching Eastern vocal, tabla, harmonium, sitar and keyboard instruction in classical, light classical, Indian and Afghani folk music. Visual arts in painting and calligraphy are also taught.
Said Moheb Hashimy, tabla player, is a disciple of Ustad Arif Chishti and Ejaz Hussein. S. Moheb is a renowned professional tabla player in the Punjab Gharana style of percussion and a music composer. He has been teaching for 15 years in 4 different countries around the world.
Shuja Sayed, percussionist, has had musical influences from Afghanistan & India all his life. His areas of speciality are Afghan dhol, tumbak & conga drum.
Sujata Verma, vocalist, is from India and is the disciple of Said Mushfiq Hashimi.
AFGHAN CALLIGRAPHY
Said Mushfiq is also a trained painter, sketcher and calligrapher. In addition to music, he teaches these forms of visual arts at our arts centre. Mushfiq is visiting faculty at the Ottawa School of Arts for calligraphy. He has been engaged by the Canadian Museum of Civilization to demonstrate his calligraphy skills at the PETRA exhibition. He is the 7th generation promoter and professional calligrapher within his family.
Mushfiq can be engaged by concert or festival presenters to write audience member names, or your sponsor names, in his calligraphic art form on marbling paper which he designs.
ARTS FUNDING AND SUPPORT
The Mushfiq Ensemble gratefully acknowledges support from the festivals and concert series that engage us. We also thank the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals, which opened so many doors for us. We thank the Canada Council for the Arts (Domestic Touring grant and Audience and Market Development); FACTOR (International Showcasing grant) as well as SOCAN for providing us a grant.
Mushfiq Hashimi gratefully acknowledges support from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ottawa Arts Council.
CONTACT INFO
Telephone: 613-521-2736 or 613-862-8856
Email: Mushfiq@mushfiq.ca
Mushfiq Arts Centre: 2285 St. Laurent Blvd, Building B, Unit 10 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1G 4Z5
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