The Light of East Ensemble

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The Light Of East Ensemble is an instrumental group based in Canada. The band performs music from the Near and Middle East, including traditional, folk, classical Arabic, and Turkish, Greek Rembetika, and modern urban music of the 20th century from regions such as Armenia, Greece (Asia Minor - Smyrni, and Konstantinoupoli), Turkey, and other Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria. The music may not be what Western listeners grew up hearing, but the rhythms and melodies are instantly captivating and listeners are quickly drawn into the intensity of the music. For people of Near East and Middle East descent, the music becomes a vehicle for a nostalgic journey back to their home country as they experience melodies and rhythms they may not have heard in a live performance for many years. Every show finds such audience members expressing their delight in hearing the ensemble play popular pieces from their homeland. The Light of East Ensemble has appeared in various venues in Southwestern Ontario. Past appearances include performances at the Aeolian Performing Arts Centre, The River Run Centre, the Mill Race Folk Festival, and the Home County Folk Festival, Sunfest, Sunfest World Music & Jazz Concert Series. The Light of East Ensemble was nominated for both a Jack Richardson Music Award and a London Music Award in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The musicians in Light of East come from different musical backgrounds and experiences but all share a love for the music. Their passion for the exotic sounds of the music they create is immediately apparent to the listener.