Jaafar
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Jaafar

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States | SELF

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States | SELF
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This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"ProgDay preshow truly Jaafar-out"

J.J. Lang
The Chapel Hill Herald.
Sept. 10, 2009

Hopefully everybody who went out to the 15th annual ProgDay this past weekend had a great time, and for those that attended the preshow (Sept. 4, Local 506), I can attest firsthand that everyone present got a real musical treat by the name of Jaafar.

Prior to the show, Jaafar only meant one thing to me: Aladdin's nemesis. Now, in my mind, Jaafar is also a remarkably tight, funky band with steady drumming, precise hand percussion and one of the strongest, most unique bassists in town.

With only one guitar, this four-piece's stage setup appeared intriguingly rhythm-centric. This proved not to be the case, as lead guitar functions were actually taken over by the six-stringed bass guitar. Jaafar had speedy, complicated bass licks that more fully explored the facets of each song.

The bass still sounded like bass, although it resembled something more like an army of bassists each playing a different riff in the same key. For one musician (and not even a guitarist) to do that much at the same time really deserves a tip of the hat.

Any doubts of Jaafar's technical ability were shattered when they announced, after only two or three songs, that their next piece was originally performed by the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

John McLaughlin and his Mahavishnu Orchestra proved to be a good cover choice, for the Orchestra's worldly flair both in individual playing styles and overall sound mirrored Jaafar's entire set.

Double harmonic scales gave a Middle-Eastern feel, yet they stuck mostly to the genres of jazz, funk and, as the night progressed, some more modern rock. Jaafar proved to be one of the area's most technically progressive and pleasing bands.
- Chapel Hill News


""Power, Passion, Beauty""

“Power, Passion and Beauty – The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra (The greatest band that ever was)”
The East-West jam-base fusion group Jaafar plays “Lotus Feet” and its “Hakim” is a tribute to “Meeting Of The Spirits.” It often calls its sound “Mahavishnu meets Jimi Hendrix in Egypt.”
Page 260
Written by Walter Kolosky
Abstract Logix Books
Copyright 2006
- Abstract Logix Books


"Best Local Bands in the Triangle 2003"

Jaafar is a fusion of the eastern influence with a western jazz approach. Troy the bass player studied abroad in Egypt, and is joined by Naji from Lebanon, Soner from Turkey, Vishnu from India, Antonio is from Chile. It is an eclectic world sound expanding the sound of jazz.
- Independent Weekly


"Jaafar | The De La Luz Performance Space | Carrboro, NC | 04.06.03"

It was a night of new experiences: "Middle Eastern jazz, Arabic funk fusion." Bandleader and acoustic bass guitarist Troy Cole explained that Jaafar was an old Islamic name meaning "forgiveness," which is closely related to one of the 99 names of Allah. He took the name while on a six-month trip to Egypt. Upon his return he formed Jaafar, a band that seeks to combine the spirituality and ethereal nature of Eastern culture with the driving force of Western rock, as embodied by such acts as John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Jaafar is a fluid experiment, alternating between acoustic and electric performances with a varying cast of characters playing with the band.

Jaafar is keeping the spirit of fusion alive, infusing it with a modern vitality. If you like your musical styles varied and without boundaries ("You got your jazz in my peanut butter!") treat yourself to an evening with Jaafar.

- JamBase.com


""Best Bet" , August 6th, 2003"

Troy Cole, bassist and founder of Jaafar (Arabic, "forgiveness"), started his band after half of a year of world travel and profound spiritual experience. When this Chapel Hill native returned home from an extended stay in Egypt, he set out on a mission to fuse together the lithe, haunting tones of Middle Eastern music with funk and jazz.

Jaafar is world, music, and world-music exploration at its best.
- Independent Weekly


"Jaafar| ArtsCenter | Carrboro, NC | 11.14.03"

Jaafar is a North Carolina collective bridging the gap between Eastern and Western cultures.

Bandleader and acoustic bass guitarist Troy Cole formed the group in 2002 after traveling extensively in Egypt, where he absorbed a deep sense of music's inherent spiritual power.

Jaafar seeks to explore both the driving thump of Western rock as well as the intangible aesthetics embodied in the Eastern traditions.

The band is full of veteran world musicians playing a variety of instruments.

Jaafar isn't afraid to explore the spaces in the music, bending and twisting the melodies until each last possibility has oozed out. Although the music always serves as positive inspiration, the deeper emotions and scarier places are also searched out and traversed. Various percussion instruments conspiring to inspire and perspire each other in a tidal wave of rhythmic sounds.

The packed crowd applauded heartily. Jaafar once again spanned the entire planet in search of their own brand of spiritual expression, sharing all their joyous results along the way.

Paul Kerr
JamBase | North Carolina
Go See Live Music!

[Published on 1/13/2004

- JamBase.com


"SHAKORI HILLS GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL"

Fusion aces Jaafar took the stage to feature their mystical mind meld of Eastern and Western cultures. Bandleader and acoustic bassist Troy Cole led the charge of these sonic superheroes, as they combined the spiritual aestheticism of the abstract world with the force and driving power of Western rock.
- April 16, 2004


"Indy Music Award Nominee 2004"

Nominated for Best International Group in the Triangle - Independent Weekly


"Indy Music Award Winner 2005"

Best International Group in the Triangle 2005!! - Independent Weekly


Discography

Beyond All Horizons 3 CD set- 2005
Meditations On Bass - 2006
Ocean In The Sky (bass & flute duet) - 2006
The Cairo Rehearsals 2006
Kollektion - 2007
Live Collection Vol 1 2003-2006
Live Collection Vol 2 2006-2007 (featuring Jeff sipe)
Live Collection Vol 3 2008-2010
Egypt - 2008
Dedication To The Sunset - 2008
Live At Burning Coal Theater - 2008
Where Are You Between Two Thoughts - 2009
Bass-scapes Spring 2009
Bass-scapes Summer 2009
Bass-scapes Fall 2009
Terracoustic (solo bass) - 2009
House Of Dreams (featuring Jeff Sipe) - 2009
Market Life - 2009
Live At The Blue Bayou - 2009
Station Transmissions - 2010
Cave Jazz - 2010
Justice Does Not Exist, But what We Desire - 2010
As Above, So below - 2010
101010 - 2010
Prophets Of Sound (featuring Jeff Sipe) - 2011

Photos

Bio

JAAFAR, A Middle Eastern Jazz/Arabic Funk Fusion ensemble originating from the Raleigh/Durham Triangle of North Carolina.

JAAFAR is world traveled, not only in sound, but has performed and recorded several tours in Cairo, Egypt, been invited for 2 consecutive years (2003, 2004) to perform at The Conga Square Jazz Festival in Calcutta India, Poland’s Jazz Festival, Dubai, and numerous festivals and venues of all styles.

JAAFAR incorporates the Middle Eastern techniques of melodic improvisation with the Jazz styles of John Coltrane, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jonas Hellborg, Shakti and others. The group’s percussionists have global influences that travel rhythmically from West Africa to Turkey, through India & the West.

At times the music of JAAFAR is projected as energetic and explosive, while at other moments the experience can be sensitive and subtle; the members of JAAFAR expertly fuse traditional Arabic melodies, classical Indian concepts of composition, North African rhythmic grooves, and pure American Jazz and old-school Funk.

A spiritual, meditative philosophy shines through the music of JAAFAR. The band’s "Acoustic Form" expresses these sensibilities, while JAAFAR's "Electric Form" exhibits raw power and beauty. At all times, this band demonstrates a musical willingness to push itself and its audiences to unforeseen destinations.

Bandleader & lead bassist Robert Troy Cole embarked on a musical & spiritual journey through Egypt in 2000. While immersed in the local culture, an intersection crossbreeding ancient memories with modern shadows, Troy explored musical territory that combined his love of American Jazz improv & Funk Fusion with traditional Middle Eastern musical themes. On many occasions Troy has returned to Cairo, Egypt (2003-2007) to perform with outstanding local Egyptian talent, and bring the message of unity through music.

JAAFAR has now performed along side of such exceptional Jazz / Rock / World Music performers as The Jonas Hellborg Trio, Jeff Sipe, Mike Clark Trio, Toubab Krewe, Rajamani and Project Mastana among many others. Troy Cole has also previously shared the stage with Charlie Hunter, and Derek Trucks.
In 2005 JAAFAR was voted "BEST INTERNATIONAL GROUP" by the readers of the Independent Weekly (www.indyweek.com)

Asheville – (Stella Blue)
Apex - (Halle Cultural Arts Center)
Carrboro - (Cat’s Cradle, The ArtsCenter, De La Luz @ Temple Ball, The Station, Weaver Street Market, Open Eye Café, Queen Of Sheeba)
Chapel Hill - (Local 506, Mansion 462, Caffé Driade, Silk Road Teahouse)
Charlotte - (Visualite Theater, Queens University)
Concord – (Diversity Den)
Durham - (Ringside, Ooh la Latte, Bakus, Broad Street Café, The Basement)
Elon - (West End Station)
Greensboro - (Blind Tiger, Greenbean Café)
Greenville - (Tipsy Teapot)
Hendersonville – (Blue Ridge Performing Arts Center)
Hickory – (Drips Coffe & Brewhouse)
Hillsborough - (Blue Bayou)
Holly Springs - (Java Divine)
Morrisville - (Hindu Society of North Carolina)
Pittsboro - (Chatham Marketplace, General Store Cafe)
Raleigh - (Lincoln Theatre, Pour House Music Hall, N.C. Museum of Art, Burning Coal Theater, Vintage 21, Helios, Triangle Town Center, Ten Thousand Villages, Fox & Hound, Exploris, Sak’s Fifth Avenue)


Shakori Hills Music Festival - (Silk Hope)
International Festival - (Raleigh)
World Arts Festival, Carrboro Music Festival - (Carrboro)
The Haw River Festival - (Pittsboro)
Durham Music Festival, A Taste of Durham, CenterFest, Strawberry Festival, SEEDS Festival - (Durham)
Mannerland - (Mebane)
Golden Leaf Festival - (Asheboro)
N.C. Middle Eastern Festival - (Charlotte)

JAAFAR’s international venues include:
(Cairo, Egypt)
Beit EL Hawarray, Cairo Jazz Club, El Sawy Culture Wheel, After 8

To hear JAAFAR on the radio, please tune to:
WXDU 88.7fm (Durham, NC)
WRDU 106.1fm (Cary, NC)
WCOM 103.5 (Carrboro, NC)