BIOGRAPHY
Aliya Cycon Project dances between World Music styles - reflecting Arabic, Andalusian, and North African genres which Aliya has studied intensively for the past decade with her Oud. Aliya leads the band while singing in English, Arabic, Spanish and Ladino, and showcases her unique and impressive Oud playing in her cross-cultural compositions. The music reflects influences from an eclectic musical upbringing of listening to world music icons like Yanni, Gipsy Kings and Loreena McKennitt.
Music from around the world has always been the source of inspiration for Cycon’s music, and the musicians she chose for her group. The trumpet, played by Slovenian jazz virtuoso Timotej Kotnik provides soaring melodies contrasting with the Oud’s percussive sound, as well as expressive Balkan-influenced solos. The alluring accompaniment and solos of the Flamenco guitar played by Lluís Castañy of Valencia roots the band's sound in Andalusian soil and transports listeners to the heart of ACP's musical mission. A strong rhythm section involving synths and Middle Eastern and Latin percussion bring the music together in a spirit of unity that encourages audiences to clap along, sway, and even dance.
ACP has performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Awards in Oslo, and toured in the Middle East as a Cultural Ambassador for the United States Embassies in Jordan, Tunisia and Kuwait. The group is now based in Valencia, Spain, where they regularly perform to a growing and enthusiastic Spanish and international audience.
Music from around the world has always been the source of inspiration for Cycon’s music, and the musicians she chose for her group. The trumpet, played by Slovenian jazz virtuoso Timotej Kotnik provides soaring melodies contrasting with the Oud’s percussive sound, as well as expressive Balkan-influenced solos. The alluring accompaniment and solos of the Flamenco guitar played by Lluís Castañy of Valencia roots the band's sound in Andalusian soil and transports listeners to the heart of ACP's musical mission. A strong rhythm section involving synths and Middle Eastern and Latin percussion bring the music together in a spirit of unity that encourages audiences to clap along, sway, and even dance.
ACP has performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Awards in Oslo, and toured in the Middle East as a Cultural Ambassador for the United States Embassies in Jordan, Tunisia and Kuwait. The group is now based in Valencia, Spain, where they regularly perform to a growing and enthusiastic Spanish and international audience.
RELEASES
EP - Aliya and the New Andalus RELEASED SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
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A voice like an angel and magnificent Oud playing. Aliya is a maestra of melodies, which shows in her singing, playing, and songwriting. |
Album - Prayer RELEASED OCTOBER 16, 2017
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Cycon delivers a new album, Prayer, which sounds like the soundtrack to an epic theatrical journey, invoking the spirit of Middle Eastern music while incorporating jazzy rhythms, helped by the band's multi-instrumental attack. |
Album - We Will Be Light RELEASED OCTOBER APRIL 9, 2015
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A shimmering dance between World pop and traditional Arabic music. Cycon's lute sometimes reflects a palpable effervescence, other times an incisive ambiguity. |
