Liverpool Arab Arts Festival presents the world premiere performance of the hugely anticipated second album from Tamsin Elliott (UK) and Tarek Elazhary (Egypt).
The album, currently untitled, is scheduled for release in September 2026. Together, Tamsin and Tarek explore the intriguing parallels and idiosyncrasies of Egyptian Maqam and English folk traditions in a captivating fusion of songs, tunes and textures, finding commonality, fostering cross-cultural connection and helping heal the scars of a colonial past through meaningful and conscious collaboration.
Tamsin Elliott is a Bristol-based multi-instrumentalist, composer and filmmaker working primarily with English folk traditions, equally adept on fiddle, lever harp, and microtonal accordion. Alongside solo projects, she leads the genre-crossing ensembles Solana and Hedera, and collaborates widely across folk and experimental music contexts.
Tarek Elazhary is an Egyptian composer, educator and oud player whose work centres on Arab musical traditions. Through performance, teaching and composition, he explores how these traditions can be sustained and developed in contemporary settings. He is the founder and leader of the ensemble Dokkan.
For this Liverpool premiere, the string quartet will be the Ensemble of St Lukes, founded 34 years ago by members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. The Ensemble give regular chamber recitals of western classical repertoire at the Music Room, and have previously collaborated with LAAF in 2023 on a performance with Syrian qanunist and composer Maya Youssef.