TAYF: From Ash to Bloom

ABOUT THE CONCERT

Threading nostalgia and futurism; tracing life from loss to resistance from ash to bloom: TAYF embarks on a musical journey all the way from tarab-focused original arrangements of classical repertoire to Ziad Rahbani, the late pioneering composer and political commentator.

The first set of music focuses on the spirit of tarab—musical ecstasy. The second set pays homage to Rahbani’s impact on Arab music and evolves the show into a more modern sound. Rahbani referred to his music as “oriental jazz,” a blend of Arab maqam, melodies, and rhythms infused with the swing and harmonies of Black American jazz. “Rahbani’s music is somehow both nostalgic and futuristic, traditional and innovative, pleading and demanding,” TAYF founder C Mikhail reflects. “TAYF dedicates their second set to him and his legacy, recognizing that TAYF is both old and new at the same time.”

The band offers the same in its contemporary arrangements of music in the maqam tradition. Spectrum, spirit – something ethereal, a vision. That’s what the ensemble offers: a vision of the state of contemporary maqam: boundary breaking, queer-fronted and femme-centered. Homage to the tradition and players preceding it, and grounded in modern forces. 

ABOUT TAYF طَيْف 

TAYF طَيْف , captured in English, can mean spectrum, diversity or vision. The ensemble widens the aperture on traditional maqam to center queer, non-binary and women performers, too often on the periphery of the tradition. From its inception in early 2024, the ensemble has performed across Chicago – keeping inclusion and activism at its core. From its debut at a sold-out Old Town School of Folk Music auditorium, to headlining the Fields of Palestine: A Benefit for Gaza, TAYF طَيْف has cemented itself in Chicago’s music scene as a pillar of innovation and community.

ABOUT ZIAD RAHBANI

Ziad Rahbani (1956-2025) was a Lebanese composer, playwright, and political commentator. Son to singer Fairuz and composer Assi Rahbani, he was a musical prodigy. His bold fusion of Arabic music, jazz, and classical forms pushed the boundaries of Arab musical tradition. His impact extended beyond art, as he was a fearless social critic who gave voice to the frustrations of everyday Lebanese people during and after the civil war.