Night in the Garden, 2024

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Join longtime collaborators of one of the most prolific musicians of the 20th century, Yusef Lateef, as they interpret a special banner painted by artist Shezad Dawood. Using the banner as a visual score, master musicians Adam Rudolph, Ralph Miles Jones, and Alexis Marcelo will share deep insights into the creative process Lateef called autophysiopsychic — music coming from the mental, physical, and spiritual self.

Presented in seven movements, Night in the Garden will lead you through the imagined garden, stopping along the way to reflect on the radiance of love. Prototypical sounds of spontaneous composition will be heard as the musicians dialogue with one another, responding to the feelings that radiate from the audience. Performing as the fourth member of the quartet, Dawood blends sound and colour to create a truly multisensory experience.

Special thanks to Amirali Alibhai, Melanie Fenner, Sascha Priewe, Marianne Fenton and everyone at the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, as well as Alhena Katsof and Ayesha Lateef of the Estate of Yusef Lateef.

A film made in connection with the exhibition Shezad Dawood: Night in the Garden of Love, inspired by and featuring Yusef Lateef. 2023. Co-commissioned by Wiels, Brussels and Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

In the Garden, 2023, triptych acrylic and print on vintage textile, 212 x 452 cm. Courtesy Shezad Dawood Studio.

Music composed by Ralph Miles Jones, Adam Rudolph & Alexis Marcelo
published by Migration Music BMI, Moreno Sounds ASCAP, Bumoch Music ASCAP
© 2023.

Performed on 11th November 2023 at Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.