Special Moroccan Jazz Event
Malika Zarra Quartet
www.malikazarra.com
With
Malika Zarra on Vocals
Francis Jacob on Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Brahim Fribgane on Oud, Cajon, Dumbek, Kerkabou, and Bendir
Mamadou Ba on Bass
At
Terrace in the Sky
www.terraceinthesky.com
400 West 119th Street
Btw. Amsterdam Ave. and Morningside Drive
New York, NY 10027
212.666.9490

Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
February 18, 2007

Khalid, of the Terrace in the Sky staff, organized a Moroccan jazz event tonight to celebrate the food and music of his native Morocco. The event took place in the large glass dining room, overlooking the expansive New York City night skyline. Khalid worked with the Terrace in the Sky chefs to prepare a full exotic menu. I ordered a Pastilla Cigar appetizer, made with filo dough, and stuffed with ground chicken, almonds, Moroccan spices, and carmelized onions. For an entrée, I enjoyed rare grilled Arctic Char, from quite north of Morocco, but it tasted just perfect with the appetizer. The cabernet was from Argentina, and the Italian cappuccino added a full international touch.

Malika Zarra, Moroccan vocalist, was a wonderful ambassador for her country’s music, and she was joined by Francis Jacob on acoustic and electric guitar, Brahim Fribgane on oud, cajón, dumbek, kerkabou, and bendir, and Mamadou Ba on bass. She sang in native Moroccan, French, and English, with a healthy dose of scat. The music was similar to Afro-Caribbean, Flamenco, and Greek genres, with exotic percussion, and vocal dynamics that intensified as the evening grew late. Terrace in the Sky decorated the stage windows with flickering candles that matched the flickering city lights, so the unique, undulating vocals were well showcased, visually and musically.

Pastilla Cigar Appetizer
Made with Chicken, Almonds, Filo Dough
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

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Grilled Arctic Char on Risotto and Spinach
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

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Malika Zarra Sings with Her Band
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

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Malika Zarra Sings with her Band
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

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Khalid, Event Organizer
Terrace in the Sky Staff
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

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Terrace Chefs at Leisure
Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

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For more information, contact Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower at zlokower@bestweb.net