Oud player Brian Prunka’s music has been described as "spellbinding" and “mesmerizing, intricate, anthemic” (NY Music Daily). He began his musical journey playing jazz guitar in New Orleans before falling in love with the Arabic oud, sparking a musical journey that led to Ramallah, Jerusalem and Istanbul. Since 2003 he has been deeply involved with New York’s Arabic music scene, performing with Simon Shaheen, Takht al-Nagham, Zikrayat, the NY Arabic orchestra, and the Bil Afrah Project, as well as his many original music projects, including most recently a BAC-grant-funded series of works for oud and string quartet and a chamber jazz group with cello and percussion.
Nashaz is Brian Prunka’s longest-running band, started in 2009, and reflects his devotion to both Arabic music and jazz. Dubbed “one of New York’s most eclectic, interesting oudists” (NY Music Daily), his oud playing, improvisations and compositions find common threads and natural sympathies between the disparate traditions of jazz and the maqam music of the middle east and North Africa, resulting in an organic new sound: melodic and spirited, ranging from wistful contemplation to kinetic intensity.
Brian Prunka – Oud
Kenny Warren – Trumpet
Gideon Forbes – Saxophone
Arthur Kell – Bass
Alber Baseel – Percussion