Amir ElSaffar Two Rivers Ensemble

In Iraqi-American trumpeter Amir ElSaffar's music, ancient Iraqi scales (maqams) meet boppish modes and rhythms as a subtle nod to the way the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers run parallel through Iraq and then converge. ElSaffar’s embrace of indigenous music is relatively new, which explains why the presence of stringed instruments like the santir, oud and buzuq does nothing to dispel the Afro-blues charge kicked up by his crack band. Tonight's show marks the release of a new album, Inana, on the invaluable Pi Recordings label.