A new album combing American blues and Sudanese Beja music using the TAMBUR, an instrument you've probably never seen!
Otaak Band is the collaboration of Miguel Merino, from Indiana, USA, and Ahmed Said Abuamna from Eastern Sudan, who met in 2009 in Cairo.
Ahmed Said is from the Beja, a tribe indigenous to the area between the Nile and the Red Sea, and a master of the Beja's traditional instrument, the masankop, also called tambur, played since the time of the Pharaohs. Upon meeting him, Miguel took an immediate interest in the tambur, had one built, and started playing with Ahmed Said's guidance.
Now two years later they are producing an album with a unique mix of American blues and Beja music, showcasing the entire history and evolution of this instrument, from the oldest traditional songs to brand new compositions using acoustic and electric bass, guitar, and drums, and original lyrics by Ahmed Said.
-------------------------
Everyone pledging $50 will receive a CD of Ahmed Said's solo recordings of traditional songs, as well as all the other rewards.
-------------------------
Performing at the Cairo Jazz Club, September 6, 2011
Jamming in the Cairo desert, September, 2011
Some of the instruments we're playing on this record
Traditional Beja dress, Cairo desert, September, 2011
A clip about the Beja tribe; soundtrack is a traditional song sung by Ahmed Said
At Ultra Studio, Cairo, August, 2011
Ali al Abady putting a tambur together
Beja sandals, handmade leather
Beja hand carved comb
Traditional leather belt
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
139
Backers
$15,261
pledged of $15,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Nov 6, 2011 -
Dec 8, 2011
(32 days)
- 2 created · 2 backed
- Miguel Merino 2101 friends
- Website: otaakband.com
Pledge $1 or more
4 backers
Thank you so much! The first 20 people to pledge will receive the Otaak Band CD regardless of the amount!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $5 or more
2 backers
Your name in the Thank You's of the album, and a song download before the CD is released.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $10 or more
6 backers
Your name in the Thank You's of the album and a download of the first song we complete, as soon as it's ready.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $20 or more
15 backers
Your name in the thank you's and a download of the whole album before it's released!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $25 or more
38 backers
Your name in the Thank You's, and a copy of the Otaak Band CD with a personalized thank you note. For $40 or more, you will get a copy of Miguel's "solo tambur" CD, recorded at the same time as the Otaak Band album!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $50 or more
21 backers
Your name in the Thank You's, CD, and two full color prints of the band in action.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $75 or more
7 backers
Your name in the thank you's, CD, two prints, large poster, and an Otaak Band t-shirt.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $100 or more
13 backers
A thank you, the three CDs, t-shirt, 2 prints, poster, a short film on the history of the tambur and how to build it, with master instrument maker Ali al Abady.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $200 or more
3 backers
All of the above, and a personalized song in the Beja language, performed on the tambur in traditional style by Ahmed Said Abuamna.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $300 or more
5 backers
The above, and Ahmed Said will perform your song for you live via Skype!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2012Pledge $650 or more
0 backers
The above, and a pair of handmade Beja shoes. Traditional leather sandals, with a design dating to the Pharaonic period, for which Ahmed Said will go to the countryside of Eastern Sudan to one of the last guys around who still makes them.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $800 or more
0 backers
Executive producer credit, four of each CD, four prints, 2 posters, 2 t-shirts, the DVD, and YOUR OWN TAMBUR! An opportunity to own a unique instrument, which you may never see otherwise. Built by Ali al Abady. For a superb soft or hard case, made by a Cairo artisan specializing in instrument cases, please add $100 or $200 respectively. Three video lessons included.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers
Executive producer credit, four of each CD, four prints, 2 posters, 2 t-shirts, the DVD, and items of Beja tribal craftsmanship. The Beja are renown for their leather and woodworking: belts, pouches, arm bands, and necklaces, as well as carved figurines, combs, and knives.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2012
