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Gaida

Gaida is a vocalist and composer working at the intersection of the New York Arab and improvised music scenes. Her compositions draw at once on classical Arabic song, Syrian folk traditions, and free improvisations that expand on traditional Arabic maqams (modes) to produce an original and highly personal style marked by great emotional intensity. An acclaimed singer from an early age, Gaida was born in Germany and raised in Damascus. Later she lived in Kuwait, Paris, and Detroit, where she received classical voice training at Wayne State University. Now settled in New York, Gaida works with leading music artists such as Amir ElSaffar, Brahim Fribgane, Tareq Abboushi, Zafer Tawil, and Rufus Cappadocia. Gaida has recorded for major motion pictures, including Jonathan Demme's Jimmy Carter: Man from Plains, in which she recorded with Gillian Welsh and Alejandro Escovedo. She also appeared on Jonathan Demme’s latest film Rachel Getting Married and recorded with Robyn Hitchcock, composed and recorded a song for The Hennegan Brothers' documentary film "The First Saturday in May". Gaida’s debut CD, Levantine Indulgence was recorded in September of 2008 and awaiting to be released. Gaida also maintains a parallel career as a speech pathologist.

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107

Recording

Gaida's Debut Album "Levantine Indulgence" Arrives March 21

Gaida's Debut Album "Levantine Indulgence" Arrives March 21

Source: rock paper scissors, inc.

Translating Ecstasy from Syria to the Blues: Gaida's Secret Passion is Revealed

For Gaida, morning in Damascus meant melodies: waking to the sound of her father's radio while he shaved, the predawn intertwining calls to prayer bursting from mosques across the world's longest-inhabited city. Strains of Umm Kulthum and Fairouz rose from radios and stores as horses clopped and cars purred by. The age-old harmonized with the modern.

These sounds shaped the gorgeous and thoughtful Syrian singer's impeccable musical intuition ...

169

Event

Arabic Classics at Alwan: An Evening with Anwar Diab Agha & Gaida

Arabic Classics at Alwan: An Evening with Anwar Diab Agha & Gaida

Source: Fully Altered Media

Gaida & Anwar Diab Agha with Faisal Zedan

SATURDAY JUNE 6 AT 9:00 PM

This performance marks the world premiere collaboration between the Syrian master oudist/violinist and composer, Anwar Diab Agha and rising star vocalist Gaida. They will perform the classics from the Arab world that people know and love, including songs of Oum Kalthoum, Shadya, Najat, and Fairouz among others. Joining them for this performance will be California-based virtuoso percussionist, Faisal Zedan. This is a rare opportunity ...

"Gaida’s forthcoming CD, Levantine Indulgence, a song sequence of alluring beauty, is steeped in the traditional music of her Syrian heritage, but also shows the eclectic worldview of a New York singer-songwriter" - David R. Adler, Timeout New York

“[Gaida] improvised incantatory lines as an accomplished jazz vocalist might have done… [her] plaintive, gauzy vocals effectively disarmed listeners” - Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

Primary Instrument

Vocals

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Music

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