Heart of …
The Heart of… World Music series is an initiative of American Voices aimed at bringing the rich history of underrepresented nations to life for American audiences. The first iteration of the program has focused on Afghanistan, while future iterations will highlight countries that are often in the news but poorly understood, such as Sudan, Ukraine, and Kurdistan.
Through the Heart of… program, American Voices hopes to provide audiences with a deeper appreciation of these nations' daily traditional life, languages, ethnic groups, and iconic cultural sites through music, poetry, and traditional art. Join us in fostering greater awareness among U.S. audiences about the broader world and its diverse cultures.
Heart of Afghanistan
The Heart of Afghanistan project consists of Four Afghan musicians; Ahmad Fanoos on Vocals & Harmonium, and his two sons Elham on Piano and Mehran on Violin, with Sohail Karimi on tabla. Together they will tell the story of Afghanistan from its pre-islamic Buddhist heritage through traditional Ghazals based on the Sufi inspired poetry of Rumi and the ‘Afghan Elvis’, pop icon Ahmad Zahir, of the 60s and 70s who took the music of Elvis Presley and translated it into Dari and performed it with a traditional instrument ensemble. The idea is to give a 360-degree view of Afghan culture through music, poetry, art and cultural heritage.
Meet the Band
Live Performance Videos
Beshnaw Az Nay
HEART OF AFGHANISTAN
Shirin Zabo Jarajo
HEART OF AFGHANISTAN
Band Members
Ahmad Fanoos (Vocals)
Elham Fanoos (Keyboard)
Mehran Fanoos (Violin)
Sohail Karimi (Tabla)
A Message from American Voices
American Voices has extensive experience in Afghanistan, having carried out large-scale programs such as Jazz Bridges Afghanistan in 2006, Winter Academies at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) and YES Academy Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif in 2011.
It was during these programs that we met and collaborated with members of one of Afghanistan’s most revered musical families, Ahmad Fanoos and Sons.
AV’s on-the-ground experience taught us so much about this proud nation and its rich confluence of cultures, languages, kingdoms and iconic cultural sites. It is our pleasure to collaborate in this program with the Fanoos family in bringing to U.S. audiences these timeless aspects of Afghan culture and experience that surpass the past 40 years of war and conflict.
American Voices invites you to indulge yourself in a multi-media experience beyond a concert or a lecture. The Heart of Afghanistan will take you back in time and place to discover Afghanistan's pre-Islamic, traditional and contemporary culture through song, poetry, photography and art.
These four recently airlifted Afghani artists will take you on a journey across this vast and diverse nation, from ancient odes lauding the Bhuddist statues of Bamiyan to Sufi ghazals of Rumi, and the Elvis-inspired Afghan pop of the 60s and 70s.
Heart of Afghanistan is a production of American Voices' in collaboration with the Fanoos family. We hope to bring you closer to a deep appreciation of Afghanistan's complicated but rich history through its music, poetry, and scenes of both daily traditional life and iconic cultural sites. Join us in developing an awareness among U.S. audiences of authentic Afghani culture even as the nation undergoes another challenging phase in its cultural life.
Heart of Afghanistan (HOA) began touring the US beginning May 2022, and is booking dates now through December 2024.
For all booking inquiries and further information contact Craig S. Hyman craigshyman@gmail.com
Zeba Negaram ba man negah Kon
HEART OF AFGHANISTAN
Kajaki Abroyet Nashe Gazhdum ast
HEART OF AFGHANISTAN
Bekhan ba Herat
HEART OF AFGHANISTAN
Tour Schedule
Contact
Artistic Directors
John Ferguson
john.ferguson@americanvoices.org
Founder & Executive Director – Association of American Voices
Amr Selim
Amr.Selim@americanvoices.org
Director of International Music Programs – Association of American Voices
Booking Agent/Creative Consultant
For all booking inquiries and further information
Craig S. Hyman
craigshyman@gmail.com