help for my Sudanese Oud playing friend
A call for assistance for my Sudanese Oud playing friend
Hello All,
I am so glad to have found this forum. I am in search of an Oud for my bandleader, friend, and mentor. This is Alaaeldin
Alaaeldin Abdalla is a Sudanese man who fled through Libya and Eygpt to reach Canada. He was persecuted because of his affiliation with political
groups, and because his music has messages of resistance, hope, loss, and strength. He frequently sings in languages that are outlawed and with
rhythms that show an African sensibility that predates arabic and european colonization. While he is a muslim, he has always stood against the
oppressive regime in Sudan. He has lost many friends. He desided to brave the desert crossing to escape though Libya when he came home and found
government thugs had smashed his Oud and home.
It is hard to describe Alaaeldin and his life without becoming passionate. He has a compelling personality and history. I have had a comphortable
life, and I find myself surrounded by education, instruments, and opportunity. I have become dedicated to this man because I believe deeply in his
music and his message. I have the tools, so I do the best I can for him. Alaaeldin is here in Canada working as a security gaurd for 11.75 an hour,
six days a week. He has little extra money, and what he does have he sends home to Sudan. Vancouver is the most expensive city to live in in
Canada.
Alaaeldin has managed to save around 1300 Canadian to buy a new Oud. I have emailed Mike and asked him to look around. He needs a hard case with it.
His Oud has been broken by accident before in its vinyl case by passerbys on the street. Alaaeldin needs a nice big Oud with a long neck and big body,
Arabic Style. I hope One of you who know better than I do can help me help him find an Oud (he is not so web savy).
Alaaeldin is an amazing player and singer. Please visit our page and listen to his music. To hear and see him solo, click on the video link. The song
is a homecoming song which brings tears to his sudanese friends: www.myspace.com/sudanda
We hope to have funding from the Canada Council for the Arts to help Alaaeldin make his first CD and quit his job!
Also, be sure to pass on our myspace page, link it up to yours, and buy a CD when we finish it (say, 9 months from now).
Thank you all very much, particularly for your reading and patience. May you all play in good health, and may we all pray for some peace and hope in
Africa.
acwmark "at" gmail.com
604-708-0362
(P.S., Alaaeldin has told me that the song I recently put up on the myspace is not his and I need to take it down, it was a quick take from practice,
but the rest is his which I produced in my space at home. Will take care of that soon.)
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