Album Notes

Teslim (TesLEEM) means both 'commit' and 'surrender' in Turkish and features violinist Kaila Flexer and Gari Hegedus on various (mostly plucked) strings including oud, Turkish saz, Greek lauoto and hand drums. This potent duo performs Sephardic, Greek and original music.
Here’s some background on Kaila and Gari:
Kaila Flexer, violin, viola
Kaila Flexer is a violinist, composer and producer. In addition to performing with Teslim, Flexer also performs with Persian vocalist Hamed Nikpay. She has been at the helm of bands such as Third Ear, Next Village and Kaila Flexer;s Fieldharmonik, ensembles that feature her original material. As a composer, her work reflects her deep respect for folk music. She has performed both nationally internationally with her own ensembles as well as with groups including The Hollis Taylor-Kaila Flexer Duo, The Flexer-Marshall Duo, Club Foot Orchestra and KITKA Women's Vocal Ensemble. She has recorded two CD's of original music for Compass Records (Nashville) to critical acclaim.
Gari Hegedus: oud, saz, laouto, baglama, violin, viola, bulgari, divan, cura, lavta, tarhu, frame drum, pennywhistle
Gari Hegedus plays violin and viola and variety of stringed instruments from Greece and Turkey including lauoto, oud, saz and hand drums. In addition to his work in Teslim, he performs with world music group Stellamara and Persian vocalist Hamed Nikpay. He has studied with oud master Naseer Shamma and has recorded and performed with Ross Daly. He has toured with the Mevlevi Dervish (Sufi) Order of America and continues to participate in Turkish ceremonial and devotional gatherings around the country.