Ambient Icon Laraaji to Perform DAY OF RADIANCE Album at BAM Cafe

World Music Institute launches its Counterpoint series with Laraaji performing Day of Radiance on Saturday, October 29, 2016, 9:00 p.m. at BAM Café, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn. Free Admission: www.worldmusicinstitute.org. Presented in conjunction with BAM Café.

Pre-show Q&A with Laraaji moderated by Matt Werth of RVNG Intl. at 3:00 p.m. at Commend, 172 Forsyth St, Manhattan.

The ambient icon discovered by Brian Eno performs his entire 1980 album Day of Radiance-released by Eno as part of his Ambient series-
on a modified zither/autoharp. Pitchfork just included Day of Radiance among the
"50 Best Ambient Albums of All Time."

From WMI Artistic Director Par Neiburger: "World Music Institute is thrilled to present this opportunity to see Laraaji perform his classic album Day of Radiance live. This was Laraaji's most famous recording and a seminal work in the development of ambient music. We chose to open WMI's Counterpoint series with this show, as Counterpoint seeks to expand upon what world music can mean in a modern context, and Laraaji's music is a fascinating example of just such a vision. Like many of his contemporaries in the ambient field, Laraaji's music is heavily influenced by Indian and Eastern music as well as Eastern mysticism which he studied under Swami Satchidananda and Shri Brahmannada Sarasvati."

Ambient icon Laraaji began playing music on the streets of NYC in the late '70s, improvising trance-inducing music on a modified zither/autoharp processed through various electronic effects. Brian Eno "discovered" him playing in Washington Square Park and the result was Laraaji's most widely recognized release, Ambient 3: Day of Radiance, the third installment of Brian Eno's influential Ambient series. Laraaji went on to release a series of albums, captivating audiences worldwide.

In the 70's and 80's, both Brian Eno and the trumpeter/composer Jon Hassell began developing upon what they called Fourth World music, "a unified primitive/futuristic sound combining features of world ethnic styles with advanced electronic techniques." Laraaji's Day of Radiance is an early and prime example of Fourth World music.

Today Laraaji continues to be an icon and cult figure in the truest sense of the term. In recent years, he has been collaborating with a new generation of musicians, most notably on the 2011 recording for the acclaimed FRKWYS series with Blues Control, released by RVNG Intl. His career was celebrated with the retrospective Celestial Music and he performed live at the Deerhunter-curated All Tomorrow's Parties festival.

A pre-show Q&A with Laraaji will be moderated by Matt Werth of RVNG Intl. on October 29 at 3pm at Commend, 172 Forsyth St, Manhattan.

Founded in 1985 as a not-for-profit, World Music Institute (WMI) has served as the leading presenter of world music and dance within the United States.

WMI is committed to presenting the finest in traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world with the goal of inspiring wonder for world cultures through music and dance. WMI aims to enrich the lives of people living in New York by promoting awareness of other cultures and their traditions. WMI collaborates with community organizations and academic institutions in fostering greater understanding and appreciation of the world's cultural traditions and presents at venues throughout the city.

Under new leadership since 2015, its 30th anniversary season, World Music Institute has introduced an ambitious expansion of concert offerings that include contemporary, experimental and avant-garde presentations, as well as the traditional music that WMI has long been known and admired for. In addition, the institution is thrilled to have launched new partnerships with BAM, 92nd Street Y, SummerStage, Merkin Concert Hall, National Sawdust, Storm King Art Center, Le Poisson Rouge, Littlefield and Drom-while continuing partnerships with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Town Hall, Symphony Space, French Institute Alliance Française, and Apollo Theater (the annual Africa Now festival).

WMI has presented more than 1,500 concerts and events featuring artists from more than 100 countries across all continents. Through powerful programming, WMI is creating a movement that promotes awareness and engagement of other cultures, helping to encourage deeper understanding of communities around the globe. For more WMI events and the complete fall/winter season schedule, visit www.worldmusicinstitute.org.

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