Doors 6pm, Concert Starts 7.30pm
Synopsis
We are extremely proud to be able to host a concert by some of the most talented musicians to have come out of Iraq over the past years. Having recently returned from their successful concerts in the Kennedy Centre, USA, Farida and the Iraqi Maqam Ensemble will perform their Scottish debut alongside the Babylon Arabic Band as part of Reel Iraq at the Roxy Art House.
Farida and the Iraqi Maqam Ensemble was founded in 1989 in Baghdad by Mohammad H. Gomar as a continuation of the
Farida and the Iraqi Maqam Ensemble
Iraqi Musical Heritage Group, which was initiated in 1973 by the prominent ‘Oud professor Munir Bashir.
The group’s central objective is to revive the Iraqi Maqam and other kinds of Iraqi musical heritage and spread it via the incredible voice of Farida Mohammad Ali, the maqam singer. All members of the ensemble have completed their studies in the Musical Institute & Academy of Fine Arts in Iraq.
This group is considered one of the most important in Iraq in reviving the Iraqi Maqam. They have participated in a large number of music festivals and were named as one of the best 14 groups in the world by the jury of the WOMEX2001 festival, which took place in Rotterdam, Holland.
Also performing will be the Babylon Arabic Band. This Edinburgh based band consists of Iraqi, Scottish, and English musicians led by Mohammed Nafee, a very talented Iraqi singer & musician.
Since moving to the UK, Mohammed has been performing for new audiences with the talented musicians he has discovered here. The band consists of musicians playing ‘Oud (a very popular musical instrument in the Middle East),Flute, Accordion, double bass and a variety of Arabic percussions.
For their performance in Reel Iraq they will perform a selection of Mohammed’s favourite Arabic songs from throughout the Arab world, a selection which he has performed at many parties and celebrations in Iraq.
“If you were being perversely optimistic, you might argue that one positive result of the catastrophic situation in Iraq is that so many of its fine musicians are now living abroad and sharing their country’s rich culture with the rest of us.”
Bill Badley – SONGLINES November 2007
Biography: Farida and the Iraqi Maqam Ensemble
Farida Mohammad Ali
The Iraqi Maqam Ensemble was founded in 1989 in Baghdad By Mohammad H.Gomar as a continuation of The Iraqi Musical Heritage Group which was initiated in 1973 by the prominent Lute professor Munir Bashir.
The group of Maqam aims to revive the Iraqi Maqam and other kinds of Iraqi musical heritage and spread it via Arabic and international festivals the voice of Farida Mohammad Ali, the maqam singer
The ensemble members have all completed their studies in the Musical Institute & Academy of Fine Arts in Iraq.
The group is considered to be one the most important in Iraq in reviving the Iraqi Maqam. It has participated in a large number of music festivals and was considered to be one of the best 14 groups in the world by the jury of the festival WOMEX2001 which took place in Rotterdam in Holland.
Website: http://www.faridamaqam4u.com
Biography: Babylon Arabic Band
This Edinburgh based band consists of Iraqi, Scottish, and English musicians led by Mohammed Nafee, a very talented Iraqi singer & musician.
The Babylon Arabic Band
Since moving to the UK, Mohammed has been performing for new audiences around the UK with the talented musicians he has discovered here. The band consists of musicians playing ‘Oud (a very popular musical instrument in the Middle East),Flute, Accordion, double bass and a variety of Arabic percussions.
For their performance in Reel Iraq they will perform a selection of Mohammed’s favourite Arabic songs from throughout the Arab world, a selection which he has performed at many parties and celebrations in Iraq.
Website: http://www.myspace.com/babylonarabicband
This event replaces the previously advertised Reid Concert Hall event.