The first thing he played us: Despacito.
April 20, 2023 10:29 AM Subscribe
He was actually a celebrity in Afghanistan, the violinist for the on-screen backup band for their version of American Idol (Single link Threadreader, original Twitter thread). He had heard through a friend about an Afghan violinist who had just escaped from Kabul and settled in LA (where I live). Problem was the guy had to leave his violin behind.
Wow - I had no idea the Taliban had banned music. That's just incomprehensible to me.
Now that I know about that, I know there are so many other musicians suffering. I was curious who might be coordinating help, and I found the Silkroad project:
Silkroad's Refugee Artists-at-Risk Program
I imagine there are others as well.
This is a wonderful story, spamandkimchi, and although my heart breaks for the musicians and their listeners, I'm glad to know more about what's happened, and especially about Ali. Thank you so much for posting this!
posted by kristi at 1:29 PM on April 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
Now that I know about that, I know there are so many other musicians suffering. I was curious who might be coordinating help, and I found the Silkroad project:
Silkroad's Refugee Artists-at-Risk Program
I imagine there are others as well.
This is a wonderful story, spamandkimchi, and although my heart breaks for the musicians and their listeners, I'm glad to know more about what's happened, and especially about Ali. Thank you so much for posting this!
posted by kristi at 1:29 PM on April 20, 2023 [3 favorites]
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posted by Melismata at 11:46 AM on April 20, 2023