CONNECTION

THE DEBUT ALBUM OF QUDRAT WASEFI

Connection is my debut EP for trumpet, piano, electronics, rubab (Afghanistan's national instrument), tabla, and choir, blending Afghan, Eastern, and Western musical traditions. As one of the few Afghan trumpet players in the world, I created this project to preserve Afghan musical heritage, honor silenced musicians, commemorate the ongoing destruction of their instruments, and share stories of resilience, identity, and displacement. Through music, Connection seeks to bridge Afghanistan and its rich musical traditions with audiences around the world, and to inspire empathy, unity, and advocacy.

“Connection” is a call, an invitation to a deeper care, understanding and connection among human beings. 

NOW STREAMING

PURCHASE ON BANDCAMP
STREAM "CONNECTION"

ABOUT THE MUSIC

Cover of an album titled Connection featuring a hand holding a red thread with birds flying around a mountain landscape and a faint world map in the background.

  • All beings are connected to each other. whether we realize it or not. Let’s remember we are connected through the earth’s surface, energy and memories. Connections are meaningful, whether pleasant or painful.

    Connection explores past musical influences, present projects and inspirations for the future.

    This is about the connection between music and me, encompassing my experiences in Afghanistan and beyond, with both homies and strangers. This reminds us that at the end of the day regardless of race, color, ethnicity and cultural or physical boundaries we are connected.

    Our connections make our journey as humans memorable, bitter-sweet, and uniquely engaging.

A hand holding a red string that connects to a dove with dust and paint particles dispersing from the bird, on a white background with the text 'DOVE ↔ DUST' and 'CONNECTION ALBUM'.

  • This piece conveys the journey which girls and women in Afghanistan have to take.  Unfortunately, Afghan society has been a dusty environment for them for decades. Although wounded and tired  they are great navigators, they fly beyond prison frames, they break cages and carry the message of hope, resilience, courage despite the challenges they face. 

    This is dedicated to my dear sisters from all corners of Afghanistan and beyond.

Illustration of a girl holding a string attached to a kite, with a heartbeat line integrated into the kite's string. The text reads "HOPE is ESSENTIAL" and "CONNECTION ALBUM."

  • دنیا با  امید زنده است (The world lives on hope).

    The inspiration for this piece came from this Afghan/Persian proverb that my mom would use, when there was a hard time. 

    When I was writing this piece I had an image of kids dancing, playing, running around. In fact, whenever I think about Hope I think of dance, music and positivity. 

    Yes, sometimes  we can dance to the oddness of the world and true happiness can come from looking after one another until. Maybe I am too optimistic!

A hand holding a red flower with a black stem and red thread wrapping around the wrist. The image includes the words "SHORISH (REBELLION)" and "CONNECTION ALBUM" at the bottom.

  • “Shorish” is a Persian word for uprising, riot or rebellion. It's a powerful and heavy word often used for battles or insurrections. Here I am referring to intellectual and cultural phenomena. 

    In a world in which so many things are happening, silence might be the biggest enemy. In such circumstances to not be silent is Shorish, to speak about what’s happening intertal/external is a rebellion.

Album cover with a line drawing of a woman with flowing hair and mountains. The word 'GRIEF' is prominently displayed, with the subtitle 'Connection Album' beneath.

  • Grief, deep sadness or sorrow is an emotion that all of us will feel at some point. Our emotions are a manifestation of who humans truly are. Without pain and sorrow, happiness would lose its meaning and weight. For me grieving leads to relief and positivity that comes after the dark.

    This piece is to remind us that despite the cruelty around us we shall transcend this moment in time.

Close-up of a braided hair extension with some loose strands at the end, on a white background. The words 'HOME BREATHE' are printed in bold black letters at the bottom, with 'CONNECTION ALBUM' in smaller red text below.

  • Before reading any further, let’s take a few deep breaths.

    Take in the positivity.
    Let go of the tension, the weight, and the negativity.

    To breathe in peace and harmony is to be home.

    Home is a place without fear or persecution, a place where we can make music, sing, dance freely, think, and express ourselves.

    Home is where we feel we belong, feel welcomed, embraced, and acknowledged.

    And for some of us, home is something we carry within ourselves, or something we continually search for.

Download the Connection Booklet

CREDITS

Qudrat Wasefi, trumpet (Tracks 1-6); voice - tenor (Track 5)

Leyla Zeynalova, piano (Tracks 1-5)

Qais Essar, rubab (Track 1 & 5); drone sound design (Track 6)

Neelamjit Dhillon, tabla (Track 1)

Gia Spiotti, voice - soprano (Track 5)

Charlotte Koonce, voice - alto (Track 5)

Andreas Michaelides, voice - tenor (Track 5)

Joey Timmons, voice - bass (Track 5)

Album & Track Artwork: Darya Akbari

Mixing & Mastering: Qais Essar

Recording & Editing: Alex Leiva, Almanak Creative

Photography & Graphic Design: Adam Gurczak, Almanak Creative

Project Assistants: Andreas Michaelides, Joey Timmons, Ian Riley

Project Advisers: Qais Essar, John McDonald

A special thank you to Club Passim and Mass Cultural Council whose financial support made this project possible.