Photograph courtesy of Basya Schechter

Basya Schechter is one of the most creative young artists making new Jewish music today. Her latest instrumental ensemble and CD, Queen's Dominion, explores new music for the santir, oud, and other Middle Eastern instruments. Schechter writes her music to reflect her own personal development, and the result is a stunning, delightful, gentle, and always fascinating musical journey from the United States through Arab lands to India, China, and beyond.

The story behind the name Queen's Dominion provides some stylistic hints to the music. The ensemble and the album were originally to be titled Hodu ad Kush ("India to Kush"), evoking the time of the Persian Empire when the Jews were living under Ahasueros, the ruler in the story of Purim (recounted in the Megillah and the biblical book of Esther).

When asked what the proposed title meant, Schechter replied "King's Dominion," thinking of the ancient Persian Empire. Since this is Schechter's domain, not that of a long-dead king, the CD was retitled Queen's Dominion. It is a showcase for Schechter's versatility and her mastery of a wonderfully wide variety of musical idioms.

This concert is cosponsored by The Jewish Community Center in the Nation's Capital as part of the Washington Jewish Music Festival.