Arooj Aftab

Executive Summary: Superb show! Full Review: As I proudly arrived at the Harris Theater in the bowels of downtown Chicago an hour early for the 7:30 PM concert, it quickly became clear that karma had other plans. I was greeted by an announcement that the performance was delayed due to technical difficulties and the show started promptly about 8ish. It would prove to be worth the wait. Arooj Aftab issued a heartfelt apology to the crowd for the delay and for arriving on stage sans shower or eye make-up, as she hid behind a pair of dark sunglasses and under her "bat cape," garb befitting a proper Vulture Princess. As Aftab (vocals), Vijay Iyer (keys) and Shahzad Ismail (bass) began to play it was clear that this would be less a performance than a calling, a labor of love between artists and audience. Each player a tidal pool uniquely formed from a vast ocean of musical styles. Between songs Aftab directed a sound crew cloaked in darkness to make adjustments to various monitors to get the balance right, perhaps a nod to her background in sound engineering, perhaps just a demonstration of her expert command of the canvas. The back-lit stage consisted of a singular color that changed with the temperature of each song. Warm ambers and reds to cool blues and aquas shone on the sparsely populated stage which worked to enhance the minimalist soundscapes. At times a muted free-form fusion trio; others whisper quiet, loosely structured journeys through merging cultural influences. The Urdu lyrics emphasized Aftab's voice as instrument approach to vocals. Notes adrift, meandering aimlessly through the expanse until colliding with the next sound with spontaneous precision and purpose. Rolling waves and ebbing tides of sound move us to reunite with the souls of our own loves in exile. As the performers slowly left the darkened stage they themselves became our newest love in exile. This exquisite, bittersweet love letter will have to hold their fans until their return. VP