Singer

The trio of Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily first coalesced in 2018 in New York City; an unplanned, improvised performance that revealed their natural chemistry. Iyer, a pianist, composer, and MacArthur “Genius,” currently finds himself at the center of the galaxy of improvised music, guiding a storied career through continued evolution with new ideas and new collaborators. He finds worthy peers in Ismaily, a largely self-taught composer and musician who has mastered the electric and double bass, guitar, banjo, accordion, flute, drums, as well as various percussion and electronic instruments; and Pakistan-born, Brooklyn-based Aftab, the ascendant ambient musician and vocalist who was awarded the 2022 Grammy for Best Global Music Performance and is a 2023 United States Artists Fellow and a recipient of the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music. Their album Love in Exile is a sparsely recorded synthesis of their alchemical improvisation, an intricate yet minimalist universe built on a handful of Urdu couplets that, as Iyer says, “reveals not just the melody but the birth of a song.”

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Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile

McCarter Theatre Center

Grammy Award–winning vocalist Arooj Aftab makes Texas debut with the Love in Exile Trio, featuring two of her most trusted collaborators: polymath pianist Vijay Iyer and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily. Transforming sound into sculpture, the trio creates lush, haunting collaborative soundscapes of meditation and yearning. Their quietly powerful, almost telepathic communication lends itself to experimentation and creates a sound as described by Aftab as “about self-exile, and the search for freedom and identity, and finding it through love and music.”

Love In Exile

Bass Concert Hall

The brilliant jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, Grammy-winning singer Arooj Aftab, and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily continue their brilliant, beautiful conversation. The trio met in New York City and dubbed themselves Love in Exile. Together they’ve forged a singular voice that takes their distinct backgrounds and vast histories of collaboration as a starting point. Individually, they’re extraordinary musicians who see through boundaries between genres and cultures without abandoning the particulars of either. Together, though, they’re artists painting in tandem, their music developing from wisps of piano and shimmers of texture, with Aftab’s voice whispering along the edges and commanding center stage—all without sacrificing their keen sense of interdependence. This is delicate, imaginative music defined by a sense of timeless beauty and sudden surprise.

The John Anson Ford Theatre

Join us for an enchanting evening under the stars at Caramoor in Katonah, NY, on July 29, 2023, featuring the mesmerizing collaboration of Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, and Shahzad Ismaily in their new project, "Love in Exile." This unique performance, starting at 8:00pm, promises to be a night of lush, haunting soundscapes that explore themes of self-exile, freedom, identity, and the transformative power of love and music.

Brooklyn-based singer and composer Arooj Aftab, the first Pakistani woman to win a Grammy, teams up with pianist Vijay Iyer and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily to create melodic sculptures that are largely improvised, offering endless musical possibilities. Their performance at the fully covered Venetian Theater at Caramoor will provide a comfortable and immersive experience, with chairs provided for all attendees.

"Love in Exile" is a limited project anticipating an upcoming recording by the same name. It represents a collaboration between three singular talents, each bringing their unique abilities to merge into something simpler yet no less impressive. Aftab's semi-classical, Hindustani, minimalist compositions, Iyer's acclaimed music-making, and Ismaily's diverse instrumental talents promise an unforgettable night.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of "Love in Exile" at Caramoor, a venue committed to the health and safety of its audience, artists, and staff. Tickets are still available for this performance. Join us for a night of meditation, yearning, and musical excellence.

Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily

Venetian Theater at Caramoor

Arooj Aftab(Opens in a new window) is a Brooklyn-based Pakistani composer, vocalist, and producer who’s “reimagining traditional South Asian music for today,” according to Pitchfork.

Arooj Aftab

Berklee College of Music

Join us for an unforgettable evening at Stanford Live as we present the Grammy Award-winning artist Arooj Aftab at Bing Concert Hall. This special performance is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 7:30 PM. Arooj Aftab, celebrated for her innovative blend of jazz, minimalism, and the evocative beauty of Urdu poetry, has captivated audiences worldwide, earning her three Grammy nominations and the distinction of being the first Pakistani artist to win a Grammy for Best Global Music Performance.

The evening promises to be a mesmerizing experience, with Aftab's soulful voice and genre-defying music. Doors will open at 6:30 PM, allowing guests to enjoy beverages, light bites, and snacks available for purchase before the performance begins.

Tickets start at $32, offering an accessible opportunity for all to witness Aftab's breathtaking talent live. Don't miss your chance to be part of this musical journey that transcends boundaries and celebrates the power of global music.

For more information on directions, parking, and other upcoming events, please visit the Stanford Live website. Secure your tickets now for an evening of exquisite music with Arooj Aftab at Stanford Live's Bing Concert Hall.

Arooj Aftab

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Events

Upcoming events

Jan 25, 2025

Arooj Aftab · Stanford Live

Past events

Oct 5, 2023

Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily: Love in Exile · McCarter Theatre Center

Sep 29, 2023

Love In Exile · Texas Performing Arts

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