A TRIBUTE TO OUR DEAR COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND IYAD QASEM
Iyad Qasem was Pink Martini's booking agent for North Africa and the Middle East, and the lyricist for our song "Finnisma Di" (on the "Je dis oui!" album), but, most importantly, our treasured friend. He passed away from cancer at the age of 52 earlier this month, surrounded by his family and friends. A lion of the entertainment business who was an important television director in the Arab world, Iyad was also a passionate music fan. He had a vibrant spirit and a lust for life that touched all who came into contact with him.
In 2016, Iyad created new lyrics in Arabic for our bandleader Thomas Lauderdale's music to our original song "La soledad," which first appeared on our debut album "Sympathique." Iyad's lyrics beautifully explored the nostalgic sentiment of homesickness from an immigrant's perspective, at a time when the immigrant experience was becoming a dominant storyline of our recent times.
Our dear friend, NPR host Ari Shapiro recorded lead vocals for this new version the song on our 2016 studio release "Je dis oui!," and then in 2017, Pink Martini was incredibly privileged to be invited to perform at the legendary Beittedine Festival in Lebanon, where we were able to unite Ari Shapiro and Iyad Qasem on stage for a performance of "Finnisma Di." Iyad Qasem, in his introduction to the song, touches on the significance that it is performed by his friend, an American Jew.
We couldn't think of a better tribute to our friend Iyad than to release this video grabbed from the audience during the performance, presented here in the spirit of the peace and friendship that we wish for all people of all nations and religions, which can come from embracing our common humanity in this shared and beautiful world, a sentiment that was at the core of Iyad's soul. Rest in peace, friend.