The Mediterranean is the meeting point of many cultures: where Africa meets the Orient, where Iberia and Europe meet the Maghreb. The music of Noor Shimaal follows old paths; from Central Asia (Azerbaijan) to Istanbul and the shores of the Mediterranean, to Cyprus, then to the Nile and south to Nubia and the Sudan, thence to Tunis, Algiers and Fes, across the water to Seville and Valencia in Spain and south again to the ancient city of Marrakech in Morocco. Noor Shimaal consists of three artists, each representing an element of the performance. Born in Algeria, Amel Benhassine-Miler moved to Germany in her twenties. There she ran a successful Pan-Arabic dance group which performed in various countries. She then came to London where she continues to teach and perform. Vivienne Dogan Corringham is an experienced singer. She has performed and recorded Turkish, North African and Arabic Folk songs as well as pop music. Percussionist Salah Dawson Benhassine-Miller has worked with various folk, jazz and pop groups and has toured extensively. His specialties are North African, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion. Noor Shimaal means “Northern Lights.” The group performs modern acoustic folk music and dance, tradition, improvisation and innovation.
