BIOGRAPHY

Eight fantastic musicians who are united in the spirit of peace & love, the vibes of Bagdad  and Toronto’s effervescence. An impressive package that deserves a thunderous welcome! At its heart is Ahmed Moneka, an Iraqi whose life’s journey has been anything but dull. This multi-faceted, interdisciplinary artist has alternated between theater, cinema and Afro-Middle Eastern music. Born into a family of artists, he has devoted himself to the transmission of Afro-Iraqi culture, brimming with joy and driven by an ultra-humanistic philosophy. In fact, his musical raison d’être can be summed up in the leitmotif that describes his nature, “Only love can guarantee the future.”

Moneka Arabic Jazz is a true surge suppressor for doom and gloom.  In its expansive quest for an inclusive, intimate community approach, the band has developed a surprising range that draws on the euphony of Arabic maqam enriched by lively African, jazz and blues influences, resulting in powerful, catchy tunes like “Aman” and “Tathini” that take us on a journey to far-off desert lands that are truly awe-inspiring. Between introspection and jubilation, the musical experience is nourished by its generous instrumentation. To experience Iraq by song, nothing beats the voice of Moneka and his band, seasoned by their extended musical adventure…