All ages welcome | Doors @ 7:00 PM | Music @ 8:00 PMTwo-time Grammy-nominee and NEA National Heritage Fellow Rahim AlHaj is widely recognized as one of the world’s greatest living oud players. Born in Baghdad and trained under legendary oud master Munir Bashir, Rahim blends the ancient tradition of Iraqi maqam with bold, contemporary compositions that speak to themes of exile, hope, and human connection.Forced to flee Iraq in 1991 for his political activism, Rahim resettled in the U.S. as a refugee and has since become an internationally celebrated artist. In 2015, he received the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor in the U.S. for traditional arts.Rahim has released twelve acclaimed albums, including the Grammy-nominated albums When the Soul is Settled: Music of Iraq (2006) and Ancient Sounds (2009). His album, One Sky (2018) features Iranian santur master Sourena Sefati and Palestinian-American percussionist Issa Malluf, offering a powerful musical appeal for friendship and global solidarity.Sourena Sefati is an accomplished Iranian composer and santur virtuoso, celebrated for his innovative approach to traditional Persian music and his cross-cultural collaborations. He is widely regarded as part of a new generation of artists redefining the boundaries of Iranian classical music.Trained by Maestro Ardavan Kamkar, Sourena holds degrees in Iranian music, performance, and composition from leading institutions in Tehran and the University of New Mexico. As both a composer and performer, he has contributed to over sixty Iranian and international albums. Blending tradition with contemporary technique, Sourena Sefati creates music that is both deeply rooted and globally resonant. He continues to expand the reach and relevance of Persian classical music on the world stage.

MAS Presents: Rahim AlHaj & Sourena Sefati