A Night of Turkmen Music

You are cordially invited to a unique performance of virtuosic Turkmen dutar (two-stringed lute) and vocal music by Mohammad Geldi Geldi Nejad, known as “Oghlan Bakhshi,” and Zyyada Jumayeva, the only representative masters of Turkmen traditional music in the Americas.

Perhaps the first such concert to take place in the United States in decades, it is hard to understate the rarity of this opportunity to experience the instrumental and epic traditions of the Turkmen of Central Asia, who reside in Turkmenistan and northern Iran.

Commonly known by the honorific of Oghlan Bakshi, Mohammad Geldi Geldi Nejad has studied with many acclaimed Turkmen bards to become the first representative to present Turkmen musical heritage to European audiences. Now pursuing his PhD at Brown University, following a masters at Wesleyan University and his studies at the Turkmen National Conservatory, he combines direct musical mastery with scholarly inquiry to present Turkmen music heritage to the wider public. His recently released album, , is the first international release of Turkmen folk music in 30 years. He has performed at various international venues across Europe such as the Theatre de la Ville (2013, 2018), and was selected as the best folk singer at the International Folk Music Festival in Prague, Czech Republic (2008).

Zyyada Jumayeva, a dutar player and bard from Turkmenistan, represents the female bardic tradition of Turkmenistan. She graduated from Turkmen National Conservatory in Ashgabat and was trained by renowned Turkmen bards. She has performed at folk festivals in Turkmenistan, Iran, and the U.S.

Seating is limited. Please reserve a seat through our Eventbrite link.

Inquiries:

Andrew Colwell, PhD

Program Director at the Center for Traditional Music and Dance

[email protected]

Critical acclaim

“...Breakout talent of the 6th Iranian regional music festival...” 

—BBC Persian, Deutsche Well (DW)

“...Oghlan was granted this honorific bakshy (minstrel) status...when he was just nine years old...” “With jangling strings and

vocals alternating from inward to declamatory, it is an intense experience.”

 —Simon Broughton, Songlines

“...Through his passionate renditions and profound musical expressions, he has emerged as a leading exponent and ambassador of the Turkmen musical heritage...”

—Angel Romero, World Music Central.

Further Information

Eventbrite link

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-of-turkmen-music-tickets-984182475277?aff=oddtdtcreator

Journey Across the Steppes album

Journey Across The Steppes, Musical traditions of Central Asia Turkmenistan is the debut album by OGHLAN BAKHSHI, which marks the return on the Western record market of an album of traditional Turkmenistan music after the absence for several years.

Bandcamp

https://centralasia.bandcamp.com/album/journey-across-the-steppes

Felmay Records

https://www.felmay.it/shop/artist.php?artist=OGHLAN%20BAKHSHI

Youtube 

About the Center for Traditional Music and Dance (CTMD)

Founded in 1968, the Center for Traditional Music and Dance has worked closely with dozens of diverse communities over the past five decades in creating a number of ongoing arts programs, festivals and community-based cultural organizations. Each year, CTMD serves thousands of New Yorkers through a full calendar of programs that provide unique opportunities to experience and participate in the City’s rich cultural traditions. Find out more online at ​www.ctmd.org​.

CTMD encourages donations at https://ctmd.org/donate/.

Discover more upcoming CTMD events at www.ctmd.org. 

Host or Publisher Center for Traditional Music and Dance