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| Enrique Haneine - A Jazz Musicians Journey to Citizenship (Between June 30 and July 4, we welcomed more than 7, 000 new citizens during nearly 100 naturalization ceremonies in honor of Independence Day. We are featuring stories from some of these new U.S. citizens to show how immigrants add to the strength and character of our nation.) For jazz musician Enrique Haneine, everything seems to be coming together. This past week, he achieved what he calls "the dream and honor" of becoming a U.S. citizen during a special ceremony at the New York Public Library. His music career is also in full bloom. He recently released his latest album, Instants in Time. Haneine was born in Mexico City to a family with Lebanese roots. His parents emphasized the importance of education. He earned degrees in music and economics in Mexico, and then moved to Boston to pursue a master's degree in jazz at the Berklee College of Music. All the while, he felt that his passion and the ideals that jazz embodied were guiding him on a journey: "I love the spontaneity and improvisation of music and jazz, and how it invites all participants, it becomes a universal language. Jazz for me equals freedom, a place of expression, no matter where you are from, it accepts. At the same time, there is a level of mastery and technique you need to have to express and propose your ideas." To Haneine, the values that he found in jazz are the same values that he found in the United States. "Jazz brings many cultures and dreams together and creates unity, much like this country. No matter where you are from, you have something to contribute." His musical journey and the decision to become a citizen flowed naturally from each other. "What I believe in syncs in perfectly, I couldn't imagine myself being someplace else. What I am doing is serving. Just the fact that I can make someone feel something through my work is fulfilling." Haneine (center) takes the Oath of Allegiance with fellow candidates During his naturalization ceremony, Haneine was particularly impressed by the roll call of nations, a moment when candidates stand as the country of origin of each individual is read aloud. Afterward, the candidates stand together and take the Oath of Allegiance to become citizens of their new nation, the United States. A Proud New Citizen Although he has four degrees, Haneine loves that the process of learning is never ending. His journey to citizenship would not have been possible had he not come to the United States as a student. "It is a constant search. The best teachers are eternal students - you never finish learning. You learn every day, there is always something to learn. One has to keep growing." Now living in New York City, he has found an environment where music and musicians from around the world flourish and intermingle. "The things I believe in, the process, goes hand-in-hand with the United States. Learning is not about finishing. Things are just starting, and I am so excited about everything beginning and everything that is coming in the future." BIOGRAPHY BRIEF Jazz World Musician, Composer, Pianist, Drummer, Improviser, Educator. Currently living in New York City and born in Mexico City from Lebanese descent. Haneine was raised in Mexico, immersed in Latin groove, and heavily underpinned with classical and jazz studies, is why his music extends from the soul with influences from his heritage. It is a powerful sound, the lineage traces its way into the ancient world, a history of music that he carries of his life story. He is known for his versatile performances and leadership in the music scene, Haneine has grown as both a soloist, band leader, and member of numerous bands, his superb mastery of multiple styles has afforded him the pleasure and honor of performing and collaborating alongside numerous great musicians, which has influenced and informed his unique personal style, that blends innovative technique with uninhibited, yet intelligent improvisation. CD DESCRIPTION Elegant Walk Records is proud to present Instants of Time the latest offering from Enrique Haneine. Reflective of the lineage of his life, an influence of Jazz, Lebanese and Latin flavors is expressed through 13 original compositions where Enrique's touch and approach on the drums create a unique tone that is joined and embellished by a group of incredible musicians with free spirited energy. We can hear how Haneine's intense and complex structure of the compositions, which serve as a point of departure for free improvisation, is the defining character of the work and how the delicate balance can be felt with the total freedom of expression of the improvisers. The compositions are the main characters, an important framework that the band goes to work with and how this relates to people, places and another time. Instants of Time is about experiencing music as a direct expression and reflection of the heritage and lineage of the living syncretism grounded on the natural musical influences and traditions of Middle Eastern, Latin and Jazz languages. Through his journey, Enrique has been brewing in his heart free improvisations founded on these traditions, linking the dots from the Cedars of Lebanon, through the open veins of Latin America, to the melting-pot of New York City. Through the elements of improvisation, spontaneity and supreme expression of freedom found in free jazz, Haneine's work aims to wrap these cultures with the texture of music with no barriers, transcending both space and time. This is achieved fully with his original compositions. A personal touch on the compositions is felt because the music comes from the heart, years of study and exploration of a Lebanese descent, born and raised in Mexico City and established in New York City as a jazz world musician, brings forth the proposed elements of unification and evolution. The title Instants of Time relates to the different levels and dimensions of the illusion of time, how breath equals time, the use of rhythms and odd meters, the afro-Cuban clave and time signatures like 17/4, 21/4, 29/8, and beyond, which may seem unusual but are so familiar to the universe, the different stages of life, other generations and its transcendence. The coincidences and synchronicities, like those moments that make you feel so connected through those invisible strings of inner journeys that unite humans and that only become visible in the instant when they occur. What makes this offering so uniquely special is the use of varied rhythms, the space, the timing, the unusual meters but so familiar to the universe, the coincidence and synchronicity, those moments, the story. The present moment, which is now past and future defining. Precious vulnerability, the angular cohesiveness, the lineage, the effortless energy, the sounds, the symphony of silence, the never ending journey with no beginning. The current time transcending with elegant successiveness...... Enjoy! Track, Time (All Tracks by Enrique Haneine) 1. Bordeaux 7:08 2. Angularity Within 5:09 3. If You Know What I Mean 5:50 4. Houston 4:17 5. Esperanza 4:21 6. Slippery When Dry 4:09 7. Inside the Journey 6:32 8. Color and Space 6:10 9. By Choice 7:01 10.The East Side of Lloyd 5:25 11.The Tear and Smile of an Angel 6:09 12.Let the Cedar Tell the Story 6:24 13.Who's Willing 6:03 Player and instrument: Lori Cotler - Voice (1, 5 & 7) Lex Samu - Trumpet Catherine Sikora - Tenor and Soprano Saxophones Michael Rorby - Trombone Carlo de Rosa - Acoustic Bass Enrique Haneine - Drums, Cymbals, Udu Drum & Tambourine write your comments about the article :: © 2016 Jazz News :: home page |