Wadaumean Productions presents Bill Ware’s original score performed live with Milestone Film’s release The Adventures of Prince Achmed.

This beautiful 1926 silent film is a 65-minute fairy tale based on the timeless stories of One Thousand and One Arabian nights. Pioneering filmmaker Charlotte “Lotte” Reiniger uses an innovative silhouette animation technique with manipulated cardboard cutouts and thin sheets of lead under her camera.

Bill Ware’s score is built upon the haunting pulse of the Gimbri, also known as the sinter; a three-stringed, skin-covered, bass plucked lute played by the Gnawa people of Northern Africa. Middle eastern percussion instruments and jazz vibraphone create a unique and captivating groove, with violin and slide trumpet completing the ensemble to explore melodic motifs that match the various characters in the film.

Watch the Trailer

The Achmedians

The live band for this project consists of 5 pieces – vibraphone, trumpet*, violin*, percussion and gimbri/bass. The personnel in this ensemble are:

  • Bill Ware – Vibraphone
  • Thomas Heberer – Trumpet
  • Sam Bardfeld – Violin
  • Bob Meyer – Drums
  • John Murchison – Gimbri/Bass

Upcoming Performances

The Muse – April 26. 2025

Past Performances

Movie Under the Stars at OLANA: Friday, August 19, 2022 | 7PM-9:30PM

At Olana State Historic Site, 5720 State Route 9G, Hudson, NY 12534

Bring your picnic blanket and enjoy a film under the stars at Olana! Watch one of the oldest animated films during this special evening film screening in partnership with Upstate Films. Take in the timeless story of Prince Achmed and groove to a lively score by vibraphonist and composer Bill Ware. This beautiful 1926 silent film by the groundbreaking animation filmmaker Lotte Reiniger is based on One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, a text which Frederic Church had several copies of in his own library.

 

Roulette Intermedium

509 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Monday, November 30, 2020.

 

World Premiere at MASSMoCA

1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247

Saturday, August 15, 2020.