#5045 NS Live/NYGF: Rahim AlHaj and Derek Gripper From Kaufman Music Center

New Sounds | Nov 2

Iraqi-born, American-based composer and NEA Heritage Fellow Rahim AlHaj plays the oud, the Arab lute. Derek Gripper is a classical guitarist from South Africa who has somehow found a way to play West African music for the 21-string harp, or kora, on the six strings of his instrument. Both musicians have played in a wide variety of styles, and recently, they began playing together as a duo. Hear solo sets by both Rahim AlHaj and Derek Gripper and a set where they play the oud and guitar together. The music comes from the New Sounds Live Concert Series in partnership with the New York Guitar Festival and the World Music Institute, and was recorded at Kaufman Music Center’s Merkin Hall in June of 2025.

Program #5045 NS Live /NYGF: Rahim al-Haj and Derek Gripper From Merkin Hall (First aired 9/4/25)

ARTIST: Derek Gripper
WORK: Toumani Diabate: Alla L'a Ke [3:11]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live / New York Guitar Festival 2025 at Kaufman Music Center Merkin Hall, June 26, 2025
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: derekgripper.com

ARTIST: Derek Gripper and Rahim AlHaj
WORK: '56  (Ali Farka Toure) [3:24]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live / New York Guitar Festival 2025 at Kaufman Music Center Merkin Hall, June 26, 2025
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: derekgripper.com | rahimalhaj.com

ARTIST: Derek Gripper and Rahim AlHaj
WORK: Gripper: Lindo [5:25]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live / New York Guitar Festival 2025 at Kaufman Music Center Merkin Hall, June 26, 2025
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: derekgripper.com | rahimalhaj.com

ARTIST: Derek Gripper and Rahim AlHaj
WORK: Gripper: Tita [3:32]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live / New York Guitar Festival 2025 at Kaufman Music Center Merkin Hall, June 26, 2025
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: derekgripper.com | rahimalhaj.com

ARTIST: Derek Gripper
WORK: Chiwo [3:14]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live / New York Guitar Festival 2025 at Kaufman Music Center Merkin Hall, June 26, 2025
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: derekgripper.com

ARTIST: Derek Gripper
WORK: Blue Light [3:53]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live / New York Guitar Festival 2025 at Kaufman Music Center Merkin Hall, June 26, 2025
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: derekgripper.com

ARTIST: Derek Gripper
WORK: Moss on the Mountain [3:55]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live / New York Guitar Festival 2025 at Kaufman Music Center Merkin Hall, June 26, 2025
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: derekgripper.com

ARTIST: Rahim AlHaj
WORK: Dream [8:38]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live / New York Guitar Festival 2025 at Kaufman Music Center Merkin Hall, June 26, 2025
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: rahimalhaj.com

ARTIST: Rahim AlHaj
WORK: Closeness [5:25]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live / New York Guitar Festival 2025 at Kaufman Music Center Merkin Hall, June 26, 2025
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: rahimalhaj.com

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