Bowerbird is thrilled to welcome back Laraaji, a key figure in the evolution of ambient music whose distinctive sound has been captivating listeners for decades. Philadelphia-born and New Jersey-raised, Laraaji has pursued spiritual transcendence through music since the mid-1970s. After years of developing an aesthetic shaped by Eastern philosophies and transcendental research in his longtime Harlem home, Laraaji’s breakthrough came when Brian Eno discovered him busking in Washington Square Park in 1979, improvising celestial meditations on his electric zither. This encounter led to a collaboration on Eno’s influential Ambient series, resulting in the 1980 album Day of Radiance.
Since then, Laraaji has become a defining figure in new age and ambient music, known for his commitment to hand-crafted sounds over synthesizers and his embrace of a human presence in his performances. Whether playing monochord instruments, singing, or using electronics-kissed percussion, his music remains rooted in a cosmic African-American tradition. His soundscapes are as hypnotically beautiful as they are rich with moments of tension and dissonance, bringing depth to his trance-inducing explorations. For over four decades, Laraaji’s work has continued to evolve, inviting listeners into deep states of reflection while remaining grounded in a deeply personal musical journey.
Admission is FREE