On Ali & Friends – a new living-room style music show where musicians chat, perform and share real moments – host Ali recently welcomed The Awakenings Ensemble. The cross-cultural group featuring musicians from Australia, Lebanon and Iran recently made its debut in China.

On stage in Beijing, they presented a unique performance blending traditional Middle Eastern music with contemporary jazz.

Esfandiar Shahmir, an Iranian member of the ensemble, shared this with Ali:

"Music is the common language that different people find. In our band, we bring together Iranian and Arab traditional music with jazz. We come from different cultures, yet we create harmony together – and that harmony is the most beautiful form of music."

That evening, an audience in Beijing not only heard the sounds of the distant Middle East but also experienced a cross-cultural encounter that transcended time and space and a heartfelt connection made possible through music.