This UK concert tour reunites musicians across the 20th century Soviet-Chinese divide through an original exploration of the musical traditions of the Central Asian Uzbeks and Uyghurs. 

Supported by the London-based research project, Maqām Beyond Nation, this group of leading musicians from different sides of the border, led by Abror Zufarov and Saniyem Ismail, have been exploring musical connections and shared poetic texts to create an original concert repertoire.

The programme is centred around the 17th century mystic poet and wandering dervish Baba Rahim Mashrab, who wandered the cities of Central Asia from Namangan to Kashgar, Bukhara to Balkh, and whose poetry still inspires musicians on both sides of the divide. The programme highlights two maqām: Segah/Segoh, and Nawa/Navo, showing how it is possible to move seamlessly between sections of the established canons to create new border crossing musical forms.

The programme is testament to the shared musical language of Central Asian Maqām fostered by centuries of movement and exchange, but also to the outstanding musicianship and openness to experimentation brought to the project by the performers.

October 2026 UK tour

ABROR ZUFAROV – vocals, sato
SANIYAM ISMAIL – vocals, dutar
GUZAL MUMINOVA – dutar
SHERZOD NAZAROV – doira
ARSLAN GAIT – tembur

4 October, 7.30pm – Waunifor Centre, Wales

9 October, 6.30pm – Frankopan Hall, Jesus College, Cambridge

Donations accepted

10 October, 7.30pm – NCEM, York

Tickets: https://ncem.co.uk/events/city-of-poets/

14 October, 7.30pm – Brunei Gallery, SOAS, London
Tickets: https://deerevents.com/city-of-poets-mystic-music-of-central-asia/



 

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