One is the leader of a popular Klezmer band – the other is a well known Middle-Eastern musician and master of Persian instruments.
Together Ed Goldberg and Amir Vahab perform what they call “Salaam-Shalom” concerts, to promote the understanding of different cultures through the diversity of music.
Find out what's happening in Manalapanfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Sunday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m., the Amir Vahab Ensemble and the Grammy-nominated Ed Goldberg & the Odessa Klezmer Band will perform a free Salaam-Shalom concert at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan.
Find out what's happening in Manalapanfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We’re pleased to have this unique concert at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Library. “We applaud Ed Goldberg and Amir Vahab for their efforts to promote better cultural understanding.”
Goldberg said the original Salaam-Shalom concert was inspired by three professors at Princeton University: Prof. Esther Robbins, Prof. Amineh Mahallati, and Prof. Erika Gilson.
Together the professors represented Iranian, Jewish, Arabic and Turkish cultures, Goldberg said. That first concert was held this past April at Princeton University.
The Library concert will be the second such performance by the two artists.
“It’s more than just a concert,” said Goldberg, a Columbus resident who is a professor of Computer Sciences at The College of New Jersey. “It’s an effort to bring us all together. Music knows no boundaries.”
Goldberg, an accomplished piano and accordion player, has performed at Carnegie Hall on four occasions, and at countless venues throughout the area. He has made more than 150 recordings of Polish, Ukrainian, Country, Israeli, and Klezmer dance music; four of his recordings have been nominated or won Grammy Awards. The Odessa band has performed together since 1984.
Vahab is an acknowledged master of traditional Persian instruments such as the tanbour, the setar (both stringed instruments) and the ney (a type of flute). Born in Iran, he moved to New York City in 1981, and is known not only for his performances, but for music he has created for theater and films. He has recorded seven albums.
The Library concert will feature the music of Middle Eastern cultures, including samples of Persian / Iranian, Turkish, Arabic, and Hebrew / Jewish music. The musicians will perform together as well as individually.
Everyone is welcome and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
For more information on this program, please call 732-431-7222. For more information on programming at the Monmouth County Library, please visit the Library’s website at www.monmouthcountylib.org
