Anna Grichting
Architect Urbanist Musician
DESERT BRIDGES جسور الصحراء JUSUR ALSAHRA
Crossing borders with music. "Desert Bridges seeks to connect cultures, continents and communities through music. At a time of deepening divisions between the members of the human family worldwide, either through political, economic, social or spiritual differences, it seems necessary to create reminders that we are all one people, all one family. Desert Bridges is one such reminder. In bringing musicians of different cultures and training into direct contact with one another, allowing them to explore how they might join in song, perhaps even creating a new way of singing, we are demonstrating that through trust and collaboration, we are able to build new creative structures where we all might flourish". Cheo Jeffery Allen Solder.
The Desert Bridges Logo, representing desert dunes, bridges and musical notes, was designed by renowned Iraqi calligrapher Sabah Arbili.
Desert Bridges Oman
In December 2024, Desert Bridges performed a series of concerts and activities in Oman as part of the Royal Opera House Muscat's (ROHM) 'Open Doors' initiative and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Swiss Embassy in Oman. The project blends jazz forms with traditional folk music from Oman and Switzerland through improvisation, creating a unique fusion of musical traditions. The concert entitled BLUE featured original compositions, jazz standards and improvisations, exploring themes of cultural connection centered on water, the sea and Nature. The project included a special concert at the Elderly Centre in Rustaq, Masterclasses and a Public Concert at the Royal Opera House of Musical Arts on December. We will upload the video recordings of the performance shortly.
Desert Bridges Bahrain
Desert Bridges performed in Bahrain with the Bin Faris Ensemble in August 2021 on the occasion of the Stella Women Around the World Conference. Made popular by renowned musician Mohammed bin Faris in the 1930’s, this musical genre is a bluesy blend with a distinctive Bahraini flavour. The Mohammed bin Faris Band consists of elite artists and musicians, as well as distinguished members of folk music groups in the kingdom. The band performs various types of traditional local musical genres and songs, among the most important of which is Fan Al-Sout, a distinctly Bahraini genre that recalls the island’s glorious fishing and pearling past, and draws from poetic writings and spiritual experiences. You can watch the video here.
Desert Bridges Qatar
Desert Bridges was founded in Qatar on the occasion of the opening of the Swiss Embassy in Qatar in 2013. The Ensemble blends sounds from the Swiss Alps, the Arabian Desert and the New York Jazz scene with performers from Qatar, Switzerland, Egypt, Syria, Africa and America, weaving Songs of Unity and Peace. The performance was held at the Qatar National Theatre in April 2013 in presence of the Minister of Culture of Qatar and Swiss dignitaries. The CD and DVD were released in 2013. You can listen to and buy the CD here, watch the concert here , and download the programme at this link.
Musicians
Anna Grichting Solder, Vocals, Switzerland
Yaqoub al Harrasi, Oud, Oman
Farah Jamal al Balushi, Qanoon, Oman
Ephraim Salzmann, Hackbrett, Switzerland
Enrico Lenzin, Alphorn, Switzerland
Michel Bastet, Piano, Switzerland
Frederic Folmer, Acoustic Bass, France
Béatrice Graf, Drums, Switzerland
Talal al Siyabi, Percussion, Oman
Musical Concept and Artistic Direction: Anna Grichting Solder
The project was produced in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in Oman and the Royal Opera House Muscat and supported by Swiss and Omani sponsors.
We warmly thank H.E. Thomas Oertle, Ambassador to Switzerland in Oman and all his team for making Desert Bridges in Oman happen.
Musicians
Anna Grichting Solder Vocals, Switzerland
Aref Bucheery, Oud, Bahrain
Michel Bastet, Piano, Switzerland
Frederic Folmer, Acoustic bass, France
Anna Nazimova, Cello, Bahrain/Russia
Eliana Burki, Alphorn, Vocals, Switzerland
Mohamed Aseeri, Qanoon, Bahrain
Rashed Alaneeri, Vocals, Percussion , Bahrain
Ahmed Alqattan, Percussion, Bahrain
Hasan Alshayji, Percussion, Bahrain
Thabit Alzwayed, Percussion, Bahrain
Ebrahim Bufarsan, Percussion, Bahrain
Musical Concept and Artistic Direction: Anna Grichting Solder,
Mohammed Bin Faris Musical Director: Aref Bucheery
Sound mixing and mastering: Mohammed Alawadi, MrProductionFusion, BahrainVideo production and editing: Mohammed Alawadi, MrProductionFusion, Bahrain
Photography: Liis Tamra Photography
Our sincere gratitude to the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities for facilitating and supporting the project.
Musicians
Cheo Jeffery Allen Solder, Saxophone, Flute, Kalimba, Spoken Word, USA/Qatar
Anna Grichting Solder, Vocals, Qatar/Switzerland
Amal, Vocals, Qatar
Eliana Burki, Alphorn, Switzerland
Shadi Alashoudh, Rababa, Oud, Syria, Qatar
Beatrice Graf, Drums, Switzerland
Santosh Kulkarni, Tablas, India, Qatar
Jon Sass, Tuba, USA
Frank Wilkins, Piano. USA
George Oro, Percussions, Syria-Qatar
Taoufik Mirkhan, Qanun, Syria-Qatar Abeer Soleiman, Storyteller, Egypt
Musical Concept and Production: Cheo Jeffery Allen Solder & Anna Grichting Solder
Artistic Direction: Cheo Solder and Frank Wilkins
The project was produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of Qatar and the Embassy of Switzerland in Qatar, and supported by generous Swiss and Qatari sponsors.
We warmly thank H.E. Martin Aeschbacher, Ambassador to Switzerland in Qatar and all his team for creating Desert Bridges with us in Qatar.
