MESOPOTAMIA JAZZ

Ahoar is the marchland in the South of Iraq, at the sprawling delta of Euphrates and Tigris rivers. And just as the fertile delta soil, the music growing out of the confluence of classical Iraqi music and western Jazz styles, is a music that surprises with the shared feeling and mutual understanding that these four musicians come together.

Ahoar is a relatively recent formation of two Iraqi classical musicians, a Belgian jazz pianist and a German double bass player. With this project these four musicians have given themselves to a unique experiment bringing together two very different traditions of music and exploring brand new territory.

Classical maqam is an ancient tradition in Iraq (and throughout the Middle East and Central Asia), passed down orally through generations, whose musical structure and form has seen almost no change in the last few centuries. Maqam is the art of melody, as it evolves out of the sequence of set strings of notes, each with its own meaning and purpose. In its authentic form there is no harmony, and melody shines on its own, through the skill of the singer or instrumentalist.

Ahoar combine this music with lyrical jazz sounds, giving it a harmonic context, and so bringing together two almost contrary musical styles and creating a new form of its own.
The combination of ancient rhythms and inspiring creativity through improvisation, both melodically and harmonically, might seem peculiar, but becomes highly successful at the hands of these four excellent musicians. The intensity of this new music is deep and touching. Simplicity, expressivity and a unfailing sense for style and authenticity guarantee a special musical experience.

Winners at both the regional & national ‘Creole’ music competition in Germany, and with their debut album "Between Rivers" released in September 2007, this is a group to look out for.