The
Mercan Dede Ensemble was founded in 1998, as the culmination
of Mercan Dede's extensive musical experience over the past
decade both in Turkey and in North America. The primary
aim of the Ensemble is to foster an environment in which
music can be created and enjoyed freed from restrictive
categories and concerns related to the division of music
according to various disciplines. A combined wealth of practical
training as well as years of experience in performing traditional
eastern music enables the members of the Ensemble to realize
this aim to a degree not often encountered. Mercan Dede's
additional experience with modern western music, and in
particular electronic music, helps to create a new and powerful
musical expression in combination with the eastern-inspired
music and improvisations provided by the other members of
the ensemble. Together, these styles of music work to highlight
their similarities, both in style and intent.
As
suggested by the title of his second album, Journeys of
a Dervish, Mercan Dede is interested not only in the place
where he happens to be at any particular moment; he pays
careful attention also to the processes by which he arrived
there. The Ensemble is concerned as well with these changing
considerations, and seeks to express them in the various
layers of their compositions.
The
inspirational force behind the work of Mercan Dede and the
Ensemble is that which has carried the message of Rumi through
centuries and around the world; "dervish" means threshold,
and the ultimate aim for any Sufi is to meet and be met
at the point where one space becomes another.
The
Ensemble, originally founded by Mercan Dede, Mohammad and
Farokh Shams, and joined later by Toronto-based world-musician
Ben Grossman. The ensemble is also graced by the accompaniment
of a young Sufi whirler. This element adds another, visual,
dimension to the Ensemble, as well as opening up new realms
of potential for the spiritual practice of whirling.
Description
Top of page