Carnegie Hall

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is situated in Southwest Asia at the crossroads to Africa and Europe. Thus, its heritage and music is culturally rich. For a small country, Jordan has many distinct regions, each with its own musical traditions. For example, the songs of the desert are slower paced to reflect how the Bedouins cope with the heat, while the fast-paced songs and rhythms are in keeping with the pulse of life in Jordan’s cities. Melody is the primary element in all Jordanian folk songs. Much of Jordan’s folk music has stayed within the country, with songs from one region of the country often going unheard by people in other regions. These folk songs can be considered “hidden gems” of the Arab music world.

Farah Siraj performs the folk music of Jordan in an effort to keep her heritage alive. Born and raised in Amman, Farah has traveled the world spreading the message of peace through her music. While the folk music she performs is traditional, the way she performs it is truly personal. Farah marries the traditional Arabic instruments and modes with the sounds that have inspired her, from the addition of harmonies to the surprisingly fitting inclusion of flamenco. The result is a contemporary revival of a music delivered in Farah’s own voice that may otherwise have stayed within the confines of its country. Farah approaches music as a medium to always choose peace and a way to amplify the voices of people around the world who need to be heard.