Returning to the Freight stage after a rousing set at last year's Pomegranates & Figs show, Eliyahu & The Qadim Ensemble perform a dizzying range of beautiful, passionate music. With repertoire from the Arabic, Jewish, Turkish Sufi, Hebrew-Yemenite, Armenian, Ladino, and Moroccan traditions, the group celebrates the common musical and spiritual heritage of the region's cultures while honoring the great diversity found within them.

Led by Eliyahu on the ney (flute), the San Francisco-based ensemble brings together accomplished musicians Rachel Valfer Sills on oud (lute) and earthy lead vocals, Faisal Zedan on Arabic percussion including the darbukkah (hand drum), riqq (tambourine) & daf (frame drum), and Gari Hegedus on Turkish saz (long-necked lute) and oud. Their most recent CD, Eastern Wind, reached number seven on Billboard's World Music charts.

The group also recently guested on NPR's All Things Considered, with the following glowing introduction: "Beautifully presented, the players bring superb musicianship and palpable enthusiasm to each performance. Eliyahu’s ney along with Rachel’s succulent vocals are stars creating a sense of human communication with the divine.”

Visit Eliyahu & The Qadim Ensemble's website

Listen to a track from Eliyahu & The Qadim Ensemble: