Alfirdaus Ensemble

Alfirdaus Ensemble

Languages

Arabic, Spanish

Skills

Flamenco Guitarist | Percussionist | Qanun Player | Violinist

About Me

We are a music group based in Granada, founded in 2012 by English violinist and singer Ali Keeler, alongside artists from Spain, Morocco, and Venezuela. Our name, Al-Firdaus, derives from the Arabic word meaning "the highest place in paradise", symbolizing intercultural harmony. 

The unique style we offer is a summary of different musical arts, originating original themes of a classical western nature with Celtic and flamenco influences, and arrangements of songs from the rich legacy of the Sufi tradition from Arabic, Andalusian and Turkish sources. The lyrics are in Arabic from the poetry of the great Sufi masters of al-Andalus and the Arab world; Ibn Arabi and Al Shushtari. Our repertoire includes adaptations of poems written in Aljamiado, the Castilian language of the 16th century Moriscos written in Arabic. In this way we hope to contribute to reviving the rich legacy of the Moriscos, whose culture, forbidden for many years, has come to us through manuscripts that they hid in the walls of their houses after the expulsion in 1609.

Our members, from diverse backgrounds, are united by a shared purpose: to create music that inspires contemplation. We embrace the tradition of samáa, the art of listening, blending classical Western, Celtic, and flamenco influences with Sufi music from Arabic, Andalusian, and Turkish sources.