SOUK performs traditional Arabic and Turkish instrumental music, with focus on Maqam and Iqa, the scales and rhythms that define these traditions. Nikolai Ruskin plays Oud and Nay, with Dara Annissi and Jesse Koennecke on darbuka and riq. Souk was formed in October, 2010 by Nikolai Ruskin with fellow musicians who have been performing together for nearly twenty years.
Souk’s goal is to create an atmosphere that ranges from relaxing background music to exciting dance music, and to share the sound of the Middle East in a way that listeners from all walks of life might connect with. Their name is the Arabic word for market, Souk (also Souq or Suq; pronounced sook). Historically, souqs were held outside of cities in the location where caravans loaded with goods would stop and merchants would display their goods for sale. At that time, souqs were more than just a market to buy and sell goods; they were also major festivals and many cultural and social activities took place in them. Just as the souq is a market place where many goods are available to peruse, 'Souk: Middle Eastern Grooves' offers their variety of musical wares in hopes that there will be something for all of their listeners to enjoy.
