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Pakistani guitarist featured at MCLA concert - December 03, 2007
 | | Salman Ahmad |
On Friday, Dec. 7, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will present Patrons of the Arts’ annual Songs of the Spirit concert, at 7:30 p.m. in the Church Street Center.
This year’s featured performers will be Salman Ahmad, a Pakistani-American guitarist known for his humanitarian efforts, and Gary Lucas, a Grammy-nominated songwriter and NYC-based guitarist. Also performing will be local resident Jamie Choquette ’98 and the Gabriel Abbott Children’s Choir from Florida mountain.
An annual holiday tradition at MCLA, Songs of the Spirit is a celebration of song and music showcasing the commonalities found in different faith traditions from around the world. This year’s program will feature individual and collaborative work by three artists whose work is inspired and informed by both secular and sacred traditions, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Dubbed “The Bono of the Muslim World,” Salman Ahmad is the musician who formed Junoon, South Asia’s largest and most senior rock band. He also has been involved in two documentaries with the BBC and is working to spread awareness about HIV in South Asia, and to help bring peace between Pakistan and India as an artist. 
Gary Lucas |
“Salman Ahmad’s prowess as a singer and blues-based guitarist has earned him thousands of fans among moderate Muslims,” according to the LA Times. He recently worked with Annie Lennox, Sarah McLachlan and Dave Stewart in a song for “Green Peace.” His cover “What’s so Funny about Peace, Love and Understanding” (a duet with PJ Olsson) by Nick Lowe/Elvis Costello is featured in the new TV series, “Aliens in America. Last week, Ahmad had his article, “A False Choice for Pakistan” published in the Washington Post. Following his MCLA appearance, Ahmad will perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Awards.
Lucas is known for his solo guitar work in “Legendary Left-field Guitarist” and his long-standing band, Gods and Monsters, was called “an underground rock fan’s dream-team” by The New Yorker. He has been described as “one of the best and most original guitarists in America” by the Rolling Stone, a “legendary leftfield guitarist” by The Guardian, “the thinking man’s guitar hero” by The New Yorker and one of “the most innovative and challenging guitarists playing today” by fRoots. Lucas tours all over the world and has performed in 35 countries. Between each set at this event will be readings, curated by MCLA’s Jewish Student Union and Christian Fellowship and read by local clerics, focusing on the shared spiritual ideals of diverse faiths and cultures. 
Jamie Choquette |
Tickets to Songs of the Spirit are $12 for general admission, $5 for MCLA faculty and staff, and free to Patrons and MCLA students. For more information or to order tickets, call 413-662-5543, or go to www.mcla.edu/patrons . |
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