Toronto’s foremost maqam group, the Labyrinth Ensemble, has spent four years dedicated to experimenting with and promoting modal music traditions of Central, West, and South Asia, and the Mediterranean. Coming from various areas of experience and musical backgrounds, the musicians learned to master new ways of hearing, performing, and thinking about music.
Mentored by a rotating roster of international guest musicians, the 12 musicians are a shining representative of Toronto’s unique sonic landscape. The Labyrinth Ensemble boasts a wide range of instruments from santur to gayageum to lyra , forming a rich palette, and opening up unlimited possibilities for creation and collaboration.
Now on their seventh intensive, the Ensemble has become deeply attuned to the idioms of modal music, showcasing each member’s unique voice through improvisation. With this tour, arts presenter Labyrinth Ontario highlights the founder of the original Labyrinth in Crete: Ross Daly and longtime collaborator Kelly Thoma.
Kelly Thoma and Ross Daly
This duo has dedicated their lives to the study of modal music, and are recognized as the foremost experts on the island of Crete’s rich musical tradition. Among the greatest exponents of this music in the world today, Labyrinth Ontario is thrilled to bring you a night dedicated to Daly’s contemporary modal music compositions.
The touring members of the Labyrinth Ensemble are Sadaf Amini, Julian Anderson-Bowes, Yang Chen, Burak Ekmekçi, Michael K. Harrist, Roa Lee, Naomi McCarroll-Butler, Sasan Salaseli, Araz Salek, Marta Solek, Tev Stevig, Aysel Taghi-Zada, and Amely Zhou.
The Labyrinth Ensemble
Accessibility
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The box office is located through the Front Tower Entrance, at the corner of First Ave. and Lyon St., up a set of stairs.
The First Ave. Ramp Entrance will be unlocked and accessible for those with mobility devices or those who require a ramp. Attendees using this entrance can access the box office at the back of the room, past the stage and seating.
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The Glebe St. James United church has two gendered washrooms and one gender-neutral washroom that is wheelchair accessible. Washrooms are accessed via three steps and/or a short chair lift.
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Debaser strives to provide financially accessibly programming. For pay-what-you-can tickets, please email programming@debaser.ca with your request.