Festival du Monde Arabe presents

Moneka Arabic Jazz

A show devised as a self-portrait, like a mirror on his own life, is the artistic path that Ahmed Moneka decided to take with Moneka Arabic Jazz. From Baghdad to Toronto, the singer and percussionist is finally arriving in Montreal, accompanied by musicians of undeniable talent. He will be sharing his story with the audience, a musical tale of blending and travel with sounds marked by his Afro-Arabic heritage. Oud, guitar, ney, kora, saxophone, bass guitar, drums – an array of instruments that will reflect the colours of an atypical journey and that will revisit the traditional melodies of Iraq through African beats with jazzy accents. A festive and inventive fusion of maqam, jazz and blues.

After being taught at Baghdad’s top performing arts school, Ahmed Moneka soon developed a particular sensibility and commitment for the themes of love and freedom that led to exile from his country of birth. Welcomed on Toronto’s music and theatre scene, he has collaborated with some of the leading Canadian institutions, including the Canadian Opera Company, the Aga Khan Museum, the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and the Royal Conservatory of Music.

A hybrid artist with multiple identities, Ahmed Moneka was undoubtedly born with groove in his veins!

Musicians
Waleed Abdulhamid, bass
Demetri Petsalakis, guitar and oud
Ernie Tollar, ney and sax
Fathi Najem, violin and kora
Max Sennitt, drums

Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 8:00pm
Cinquième Salle
To purchase your tickets visit: www.placedesarts.com