Iraqi-born, American-based composer and NEA Heritage Fellow Rahim AlHaj plays the oud, the Arab lute. Derek Gripper is a classical guitarist from South Africa who has somehow found a way to play West African music for the 21-string harp, or kora, on the six strings of his instrument. Both musicians have played in a wide variety of styles, and recently, they began playing together as a duo. Hear their duo set from the New York Guitar Festival, recorded at Kaufman Music Center’s Merkin Hall in June of 2025 and in partnership with The World Music Institute.

Set list:

1. Derek Gripper – Fifty-Six
2. Gripper: Lindo
3. Gripper: Tita
4. Rahim AlHaj: Closeness

Derek Gripper is a classical guitarist from South Africa who has somehow found a way to play West African music for the 21-string harp, or kora, on the six strings of his instrument. Iraqi-born, American-based composer and NEA Heritage Fellow Rahim AlHaj plays the oud, the Arab lute. Both musicians have played in a wide variety of styles, and recently, they began playing together as a duo. Hear solo sets by Derek Gripper and a solo piece by Rahim AlHaj. The music comes from the New Sounds Live Concert Series in partnership with the New York Guitar Festival and the World Music Institute, and was recorded at Kaufman Music Center’s Merkin Hall in June of 2025.

Set list:

1. Derek Gripper - Blue Light
2. Derek Gripper - Chiwo
3. Derek Gripper - Moss on the Mountain
4. Rahim AlHaj - Dream

Guitarist Steve Gunn has established himself as a singer/songwriter and as an ace collaborator with artists like Hiss Golden Messenger and Kurt Vile. With over 20 albums to his credit, you might think he’s done it all, but until 2025, Gunn had never done an album of solo instrumentals. In August 2025 he released Music For Writers, a collection of sonic landscapes, and in very short order he was back behind the mic this past November with a new album of songs called Daylight Daylight. Steve Gunn performs, in-studio.

(See him on a US West Coast tour

Set list: 1. Nearly There 2. Morning On K Road 3. Another Fade