Ahmad Sham Sufi Qawali

We met the group for the first time when visiting a Sufi House in the old quarters of Kabul in 2006. Sufi Houses exist all over Afghanistan and come from an ancient tradition which has existed for over 700years. The tradition consists of 24 to 48hours of non-stop music, played by alternating musicians. The sessions are always free, food is provided and the audience come and go as they please. The
audience and the musicians collaborate to create a musical and spiritual journey, aimed at reaching a state of ecstasy. This state is viewed by certain Sufi groups as the point at which one is closest to
God.

Sufi music is not viewed as a performance, but as a spiritual and healing journey through music and dance. People do not clap at the end of a song, but they clap and dance throughout. The music is improvised according to the atmosphere and mood of the audience and the audience share a responsibility in creating this energy.

The Taliban banned Qawali music along with all other music, during their reign and Qawali music was the first to return after their expulsion. This is due to Qawali being an important form of healing within Afghan culture.

The Sham Qawali group have been playing for over 30years and is one of the most highly regarded Qawali groups of Afghanistan. They have toured India, Russia, Tajikistan, all over Afghanistan and last year came to London and Scotland, brought over by Reel Festivals during the first Afghan Festival in the UK.

In Edinburgh the group played in the Reed Music Hall, and the Queen’s Hall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdfhVcimANQ
Both concerts were a huge success and due to public demand, we have bringing the group back this year as part of the Great Game Festival in
the Tricycle Theatre, London http://www.tricycle.co.uk/.

The group will also be touring Scotland, playing in the CatStrand in New Galloway as part of Dumfries and Galloway 30th Arts Festival http://www.dgartsfestival.org.uk/, and Knockengorroch World Music Festival in Dumfries and Galloway http://www.knockengorroch.org.uk/

This is a rare opportunity to see one of Afghanistan’s most talented bands and learn about their unique history and culture. You can here them in session on BBC Radio 3 here – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kh0ts

A chance to see a more human side of Afghanistan and its people. I can’t recommend this group highly enough, please do come along and spread the word!

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.