“I’m a musician with a mission,” explains Albuquerque-based oud player and composer Rahim AlHaj, who is SITE Santa Fe’s special guest in a solo performance on August 9.

Born in Baghdad, Iraq and a resident of New Mexico since 2000, AlHaj uses his masterful musical skills to communicate a message.

“I am obsessive and compulsive about social justice,” says AlHaj, who was forced to leave Iraq in 1991 after the first Gulf War due to his activism against the Saddam Hussein regime.

“There are many stories behind my music.” [Read More…]

You can count on Joshua Habermann, the artistic director of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, to program a variety of fascinating choral works for the vocal ensemble’s annual summer season of performances.

This summer’s repertoire is no exception. Habermann reaches back in time to the 1600s and travels to the 20th century during concerts that take place from July 21 through August 9. The 36th Summer Festival Season features three different programs.

“Sure on this Shining Night” includes choral works by Jake Runestad, Henk Badings and Johannes Brahms that evoke the beauty of the natural world. “In New Mexico, we are fortunate to live in a place of extraordinary beauty,” says Habermann in his program notes. [Read More…]

It’s time for another exciting season of Santa Fe Bandstand, an annual summer-long music festival that’s produced by the non-profit organization Outside In Productions.

Beginning on June 21 and running through August 10, Santa Fe Bandstand presents solo, regional and national solo acts and bands playing everything from Latin, salsa, country and bluegrass sounds to blues, funk, rock and jazz tunes.

While most of the performances take place on the Santa Fe Plaza, four evenings of music are presented at Swan Park in the southside of town.

One of June’s special musical artists is Delphia, a singer/songwriter who started her career as a country/folk/rock musician touring throughout the New York/Philadelphia metropolitan area and playing with musicians including Leon Russel, Wishbone Ash and Melody Gardot. [Read More…]

Enjoy some smooth rhythm and blues when singer Tracey Whitney takes the Music on the Hill stage on June 20.

Joining her for the show are musicians Jim Ahrend, Rodney Bowe, Stephen Dewave Peace, Wayne Johnson and Farid Huisman.

Singing in front of an audience is like breathing for the sultry jazz, r&b and pop singer and songwriter who calls Albuquerque home. “I have nervous energy before I get on stage,” says Whitney. “I feel like a race horse in the gate, ready to go.”

A vocalist who has been performing for audiences since elementary school, Whitney sang with her parents and siblings as a member of her family’s singing ensemble The Whitney Family. The family toured the world and recorded albums for 15 years. [Read More…]