Crossroads of Sound

Crossroads of Sound is an intercultural music project dedicated to exploring the shared musical heritage of the Near East, the Balkans, the Arab world, and the Caucasus.

Across these regions, centuries of migration, empire, trade, and spiritual life have shaped deeply interconnected musical languages. Modal systems, rhythmic cycles, ornamentation practices, and improvisational forms traveled freely — creating a rich continuum of sound that still resonates today.

Crossroads of Sound brings these traditions together in an intimate and respectful artistic setting, revealing not only their differences, but their profound common ground.

Our Vision

At its core, Crossroads of Sound seeks to:

• Explore the shared modal traditions of neighboring cultures

• Highlight historical connections between makam, maqam, and related modal systems

• Create meaningful dialogue between musicians rooted in different traditions

• Present music as a living cultural memory, not a museum artifact

• Build bridges between communities through listening and collective experience

The project emphasizes depth over fusion — allowing traditions to meet organically through understanding, not simplification.

The Music

Programs feature music drawn from:

• Turkish makam traditions

• Arabic maqam repertoire

• Balkan urban and folk traditions

• Caucasian musical forms

• Ottoman-era classical and regional music

Performances include instrumental and vocal works, improvisations (taksim / taqsim), historical compositions, and contemporary interpretations shaped by collaboration.

Instrumentation may include oud, ney, kanun, tanbur, yaylı tanbur, violin, percussion, voice, harp, and other acoustic instruments, depending on the program.

Each concert is designed as both a musical journey and an educational experience, offering audiences cultural, historical, and musical context.

Founders

Crossroads of Sound was co-founded by:

Volkan Efe
Musician, composer, and cultural curator specializing in Turkish classical music, Ottoman-era repertoire, and modal performance traditions.

Theresa Thompson
Violinist and interdisciplinary artist whose work bridges Western classical training with Near Eastern, Balkan, and improvisational musical languages.

Core Members

The core ensemble includes:

• Michael K. Harrist — yaylı tanbur, bass, percussions

• Fatih Acun — baglama, voice

• Joolz — piano, voice

Additional guest musicians participate depending on repertoire and program focus.