Alsarah & the Nubatones were born out of many dinner conversations between Alsarah and Rami El Aasser about Nubian ‘songs of return’, modern migration patterns and the cultural exchanges between Sudan and Egypt. A common love for the richness of pentatonic sounds, and shared migration experiences, expanded the conversation to include Armenian – American oud player Haig Manoukian and French born Togo raised bass player Mawuena Kodjovi. Under the leadership of Alsarah, the Brooklyn based group’s sound grew into what they have dubbed as ‘east – African retro-pop’.
Since their first show in October of 2011, the group has performed nationally and internationally at many prestigious festivals and venues (Glastonbury, Roskilde, Les Nuits de Fourvière, SXSW, WOMAD, Global Fest...) . With audiences varying in age and ethnicity, the Nubatones has proven over and over that soul crosses all cultural and linguistic barriers.
Saturday, April 5th, 2025
DINNER RESERVATIONS AT THE STAGECOACH TAVERN
Doors open at 7pm, event begins at 8pm
In The Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge
864 South Undermountain road ( AKA Rt 41 ) Sheffield, MA (click for directions)
Tickets: $20 (First 50) | Advance $25 (Next 50), Slow Poke $30 | $35 at the door (if available)
Alsarah is a singer, songwriter, bandleader and a somewhat reluctant ethnomusicologist. Born in Khartoum, Sudan, she relocated to Yemen with her family before abruptly moving to the USA, finally feeling most at home in Brooklyn, NY where she has been residing since 2004. She is a self-proclaimed practitioner of East-African Retro-Pop music. Working on various projects, she has toured both nationally and internationally.
With her main outfit, Alsarah & the Nubatones, she has released 2 full-length albums titled Silt , followed by Manara (Wonderwheel Recordings, 2014 and 2016). She has also released 1 full-length album with French electronic producer Débruit titled Aljawal (Soundways Recordings, 2013). And she was featured on the Nile Project‘s debut CD, Aswan (named in the top 5 must hear international albums by NPR, 2014).
Always trying to connect the musical dots both her full length albums with the Nubatones saw themselves reimagined and remixed by various acclaimed electronic producers in 2015’s Silt Remixed and 2017’s Manara Remixed (both via Wonderwheel Recordings).
In between albums Alsarah also works with the Sudanese artist collective Refugee Club Productions on a variety of projects including the critically acclaimed documentary “Beats of the Antonov”.
Alsarah & The Nubatones
Alsarah & the Nubatones were born out of many dinner conversations between Alsarah and Rami El Aasser about nubian ‘songs of return’, modern migration patterns and the cultural exchanges between Sudan and Egypt. A common love for the richness of pentatonic sounds, and shared migration experiences, expanded the conversation to include armenian – american oud player Haig manoukian and french born togo raised bass player Mawuena Kodjovi. Under the leadership of Alsarah, the brooklyn based group’s sound grew into what they have dubbed as ‘east – african retro-pop’.
In march of 2014 the group released their debut album “silt / طم “ via Wonderwheel recordings to international acclaim and great reviews, with the single Soukura (it’s late) debuting on Spin magazine’s blog. October of the same year saw the release of “silt remixed” featuring remixes
by Bodhisattva, Nickodemus, Captain planet, Chancha Via Circuito, and many others. It also went on to be selected by the prestigious Fact magazine as one of the best remix albums of 2014.
Unfortunately that year also marked the passing of founding member Haig Manoukian from this world into the next. Taking his place is the brilliant oudist, and former student of Hiag, Brandon Terzic. In addition the band have also grown to include the charismatic and talented vocalist Nahid as a full time member of the band now.
If Silt was the mud the band came from, then “Manara” is the house built of that clay. Born out of a creative retreat for the band in Asilah, Morocco in November of 2015, this album released in October of 2016 showcases a new intimacy in the creative process with the majority of the tracks being original compositions by Alsarah & the Nubatones. the band explores the many emotions and themes that mark the long journey after immigration begins. “Manara” is a quest, and also a celebration of all the ways in which we shift, change, and grow as we seek to build a new life.
In an age of single track downloads, this album is made to be listened to from beginning to end, in the vein of classic albums such as “Dark Side of the Moon”, and “Musicology”. A new member has also joined the line-up , Nahid, Alsarah’s younger sister as Back vocal.
This album has been an international success, opening many new countries and audiences for the band, with several tours in three different continents (Africa, Europe, North America...). In september 2017, “Manara remixed” has been released, in the respect of the band’s tradition featuring remixes by some great producers like Oddisee, El Bùho, Sufyvn, and Pablo Fierro and others. The band has also been invited in many radio and tv shows like NPR TINY DESK, KEXP LIVE, RADIO NOVA, FIP, ARTE...
Since their first show in October of 2011, the group has performed nationally and internationally at many prestigious festivals and venues (Glastonbury, Roskilde, Les Nuits de Fourvière, SXSW, WOMAD, Global Fest...) . With audiences varying in age and ethnicity, the Nubatones has proven over and over that soul crosses all cultural and linguistic barriers.
Race Brook Lodge is a hidden gem in The Berkshires, at the foot of Mt. Race and a short hike from the Appalachian trail. The yoga & event barn at Race Brook is simultaneously rustic and sublime, steeped in hundreds of years of New England history. The Stagecoach Tavern is unpretentious fine dining, exquisite farm-to-table cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Much of the food is sourced from Race Farm, right on the property!
