Ustad Noorbakhsh & Jamila Al-Yousef

Gathering

On 25 May, Korsi presents a two-part evening featuring a solo audio-visual performance by Jamila Al-Yousef and a headline concert by Ustad Noor Bakhsh. Blending storytelling, live music, and regional musical traditions, the night moves from personal narratives of diaspora and resistance into the electrifying sounds of the Benju, performed by one of Balochistan’s most recognized instrumentalists.

Start at 19:00
Entry 20 EUR

Photos von Fadi Elias & Melih Akya

EVENT DETAILS

On Monday, 25 May, Korsi hosts a two-part program featuring a solo opening set by Jamila Al-Yousef and a headline performance by Ustad Noor Bakhsh.

Opening: Jamila Al-Yousef (solo)
Jamila Al-Yousef is the bandleader of Jamila & The Other Heroes, a Berlin-based group combining psychedelic desert rock with politically engaged themes.

Main Act: Ustad Noor Bakhsh

Ustad Noor Bakhsh is an instrumentalist from Pasni, Balochistan, known for his mastery of the Benju, a keyed zither adapted from the Japanese taishōkoto. He has played the instrument since childhood and is recognized across the Makran Coast.

He performs on an electric Benju, using a pickup and amplifier setup. His style is based in Balochi musical traditions and incorporates elements of South Asian raags and regional folk repertoires.

His program typically includes:

Balochi folk and instrumental compositions
Persian, Kurdish, and Sindhi melodies
Interpretations of popular songs, including Bollywood
Original compositions (e.g. from his album Jingul, released 2022 / vinyl 2023 via Hive Mind Records)

His playing style features melodic ornamentation and rhythmic structures that draw from multiple regional traditions.