Labyrinth Ensemble

Toronto’s foremost maqam group, the Labyrinth Ensemble, has spent four years dedicated to experimenting with and promoting modal music traditions of Central, West, and South Asia, and the Mediterranean.  Coming from various areas of experience and musical backgrounds, the musicians learned to master new ways of hearing, performing, and thinking about music. 

Mentored by a rotating roster of international guest musicians, the 12 musicians are a shining representative of Toronto’s unique sonic landscape. The Labyrinth Ensemble boasts a wide range of instruments from santur to gayageum to lyra , forming a rich palette, and opening up unlimited possibilities for creation and collaboration.

Now on their seventh intensive, the Ensemble has become deeply attuned to the idioms of modal music, showcasing each member’s unique voice through improvisation. With this tour, arts presenter Labyrinth Ontario highlights the founder of the original Labyrinth in Crete: Ross Daly and longtime collaborator Kelly Thoma. 

This duo has dedicated their lives to the study of modal music, and are recognized as the foremost experts on the island of Crete’s rich musical tradition. Among the greatest exponents of this music in the world today, Labyrinth Ontario is thrilled to bring you a night dedicated to Daly’s contemporary modal music compositions. 

The touring members of the Labyrinth Ensemble are Sadaf Amini, Julian Anderson-Bowes, Yang Chen, Burak Ekmekçi, Michael K. Harrist, Roa Lee, Sasan Salaseli, Araz Salek, Marta Solek, Tev Stevig, Aysel Taghi-Zada, and Amely Zhou.

Host or Publisher The Chamber Music Society of Mississauga