A Y M A N B O U J L I D A

D E P A R T U R E

AYMAN BOUJLIDAD E P A R T U R E
Shoftek MarraThe Legacy of CarthageSelf TherapyIn the Quest of ConfirmationAna GalbiThe StorytellerRememberingHow it all began
Musicians:Ayman Boujlida - drums, percussion, konnakol, melodica, synthGabriel Chakarji - piano, fender rhodes, padsJillian McKenna - bassAmir ElSaffar - trumpet Khondzi - alto saxophoneAlex Blade Silver - tenor saxophoneBilly Duffy - trombone
Recorded at Tedesco Studios, NJAdditional recordings at BOUJLIDA StudiosRecording engineer - Tom TedescoMixed and mastered by Ayman Boujlida Executive producer - Mina CheonPhotography by Bashkim HasaniCover art by MCAB Studios
All music written, arranged and produced by Ayman BoujlidaAna Galbi and Shoftek Marra are based on Tunisian folk melodies
"In a fractured world, music has a way of bringing us closer," says musician Ayman Boujlida, announcing the release of his debut album Departure on January 28, 2025. He includes, "I'm thrilled to embark on a journey of sharing so much more in 2025. Let this year be the flipside of 2024 – a year of hope, expression, and most importantly, empathy." Boujlida's Departure is one of the three albums he has lined up, with plans to release two more albums in the next few months, completing and sharing over 15 new tracks with his audience worldwide.
D E P A R T U R E The debut album Departure by Ayman Boujlida is a conglomeration of musical influences and histories. It stands out with its unique fusion of Tunisian folk music, konnakol, and modern jazz, reflecting Boujlida's porous lived experience. His journey took him across four continents, from Africa and Asia to Europe and America, where he learned and performed, creating a new musical narrative and sound layered with time and cultures. The album's centerpieces, The Legacy of Carthage and Shoftek Marra, are a powerful reflection on the historical past of the Empire of Carthage and the present: Tunisia, his home and motherland. The title track, "The Legacy of Carthage," is inspired by events from 300 BC to today that shaped modern-day Tunisia. It is a musical translation of the ancient legacy of Carthage, later to become Ifrikya and then Tunisia, through modern music. Figures that inspired the work are Hannibal Barca (247 - 183/181 BC), Ibn Khaldun (1332 - 1406), Abul Kacem Al Chebbi (1909 - 1934). Boujlida means 'father of skins,' a historic family name that reflects the intergenerational connection to his craft and the diverse musical influences he incorporates about healing, shapeshifting, and loving the other unconditionally. The first Boujlida of Tunisia walked for decades, traversing the country with animal skin on his back. Five hundred years ago, he was one of the first zen-master healers of Tunisia. Boujlida was what people called him. Ayman, on the other hand, means 'dexter, righteous,' a name that embodies his skill and integrity as a musician and the lens through which he views the world and Universe and the direction for which we must head, the music we must hear.
About the track The Legacy of Carthage Studio recording of a track entitled the Legacy of Carthage, from my first Album: Departure, which will be released by the end of this month December 2024. The music was recorded in 2021. Description: Inspired by a series of events, during the period of 300 BC to current day, that shaped modern day Tunisia. The Legacy of Carthage is a musical translation of the ancient legacy of Carthage, later to become Ifrikya and then Tunisia, through modern music. Figures that inspired the work: Hannibal Barca (247 - 183/181 BC), Ibn Khaldun (1332 - 1406), Abul Kacem Al Chebbi (1909 - 1934).
"’Departure’ is a deeply emotional and creative milestone – a labor of love created with incredible friends and musicians in NYC who made this journey possible. It's been a long time coming, and I'm beyond grateful to share it with you finally." – Ayman Boujlida
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