Ajam (band)
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Ajam | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Ajam Music |
| Genres | Iranian roots music |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Label | Independent |
| Members | Amin Mohammad Fouladi (a.k.a. Amin Ajami) Arash Fayyazi Nariman Akrami Sara Fotros |
| Website | www.ajammusic.com |
Ajam (Persian: عجم) is an Iranian roots music project that creates original contemporary music by utilizing elements of the native music of Iran. In particular, the focus of this project is on "people’s" music and has been developed through research and field studies.[1][2] The Ajam project started in London in early 2010 and has since performed various concerts across Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Ajam comprises four main members, referred to as "the Ajam Family" and "a rotating cast of Iranian musicians who perform on recordings and tours"[3] who are referred to as "Ajam’s Guests" and "Extended Family".
The concept of the project was conceived by
- Amin Mohammad Fouladi (a.k.a. Amin Ajami)
and the core of the Ajam family comprises:
- Arash Fayyazi
- Nariman Akrami
- Sara Fotros
Vocal style and poetry
The soundscape presented in Ajam’s musical repertoire comprises traditional urban, rural and tribal melodic, and percussion instruments complemented by urban and rock beats and bass lines. "Their music presents a blend of rooted, traditional folk music with a contemporary touch".[4] Ajam draws influence from various forms of "people's" music including that of ceremonial and ritualistic practices, the music of work, religious passion-plays and music related to traditional sport. Where relevant, Ajam seeks to utilise native roots-based forms of vocal performance such as Bahr-e-Taveel and ZarbyKhāni' in preference over borrowed forms such as Rap.
Naming
In various interviews with the members of Ajam, several reasons are cited for the naming of the project. In many countries that neighbour Iran, Ajam is a surrogate term for Persian or Iranian. Other notable definitions for ajam are rooted from an Arabic term to mean, "illiterate", "mute", or "ineloquent".
With reference to the latter definitions, and in relation to the naming of the project, Amin Ajami is quoted as saying that “we would rather be illiterate to the language of 'man', but seek fluency in the language of the 'heart'".[5]