Jasad: Music for Middle Eastern Flute – Faris Ishaq (Playhouse, Sheffield)

An immersive solo performance rooted in ancient sound and modern expression

Experience the powerful, hypnotic sound world of Jasad, a striking solo performance from Faris Ishaq — master of the Nay, one of the oldest flutes still in use today.

Rooted in Faris’s Palestinian heritage, this performance celebrates the Nay’s 5,000-year history in Middle Eastern culture while pushing the instrument into bold, unexplored territory through original composition and innovative performance techniques.

What is Jasad?

Jasad — Arabic for “body” — is a deeply physical, fully acoustic solo performance. Faris performs on the Nay while simultaneously playing:

• A leg-mounted frame drum

• Foot percussion

These elements are woven together live to create multi-layered rhythmic and melodic textures, evoking the feel of looping and electronic music — yet created entirely in the moment.

What to expect

With exceptional dexterity and expressive nuance, Faris blends:

• Intricate, flowing Nay melodies

• Dynamic, grounded percussion

• Rhythmic cycles that build and evolve organically

The result is a mesmerising performance that bridges ancient tradition and contemporary experimentation, inviting listeners into a meditative yet rhythmically charged soundscape.

Part of Music in the Round Sheffield

This concert forms part of the Music in the Round Sheffield programme.

Booking offers:

• Save 20% when booking 10 or more concerts in one transaction

• Save 10% when booking 5 or more concerts in one transaction

🎟 Tickets & full details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/jasad-music-for-middle-eastern-flute