The eclectic and soulful sounds of the sitar will be brought to life by a renowned composer in Coquitlam next month.
On Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., sitarist Mohamed Assani, known for his genre-defying approach to music, will take the centre stage at Place des Arts.
Assani will be joined by a surprise special guest on the tabla for the Spirit of Tradition – An Evening of Sitar and Tabla featuring Assani's original compositions and traditional Indian and Pakistani music.
Trained in Indian/Pakistani and western classical music, Assani's music draws from different genres and cultures with depth and authenticity, a news release stated — gaining him attention for different prestigious musical accolades.
Assani was nominated twice, 2021 and 2022, for the Instrumental Artist of the Year for the Western Canadian Music Awards.
According to the release, he introduced his sitar to new audiences across the globe through innovative collaborations — including co-writing a sitar concerto that was performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and performing for his Royal Highness the Aga Khan.
He has also been invited to teach at London’s Royal Academy of Music and has been invited to performe for celebrity couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, said the release.
"Mohamed Assani is a musician for the ages," said Noho Arts District in a statement.
"Pushing his passion into the future, with a glance to his past and the history of this amazing instrument, but never shying away from what is new and exciting. He is at the frontier of cultural hybridisation, leading us deeper into the lush landscape of worldwide music."
Tickets for the concert begin at $16 for students and seniors, and $21 for adults. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.
In addition to the Sitar concert, Place des Arts has three more performances coming up this season — A Celebration of Robbie Burns with Blackthorn, What a Wonderful World with Triskellion and Sun Songs with Jodi Proznick.
For more information, you can visit the Place des Arts website.
