3rd May 2015 at the Cockpit Theatre, London NW8..
An evening concert linked to a conference on Muwashshah and Zajal [organised by Ed Emery].
Country: Egypt & Lebanon (British resident). Style: Muwashshah.
Lineup: Mohammed Antar (oud/ney/v), Najib Coutya (v/oud), Christelle Madani (v), Rabeea Anka (v) [who left early], Marwan Fituri (v), Francesco Iannuzzelli (oud), Peyman Heydarian (daf).
Muwashshah is a song form which originated in Andalusia during ther perod of Islamic rule between the 8th and 15th centuries. After the expulsion of the Moors and Jews it developed further around the world including the Maghreb and the Levant. This concert arose out of a conference (the third I believe) organised by Ed Emerry at SOAS on Muwashshah. It featured musicians from the SOAS Arabic Music sessions and from other events organised by Ed Emery and/or Peyman Heydarian, with additional guests. Together they made up a very international lineup, with musicians from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Libya, Italy and Iran. Unfortunately technical problems with my camera meant I did not get a useable shot of the Syrian singer Rabeea Anka before he left the concert early. In the past I have taken photos of Antar, Coutya and Heydarian at a "Songs of Resistance" concert; Antar at a "Mini Maqam Conference"; Coutya as part of a duo with Cahit Baylav; and Heydarian at too many events to list [to view click on the musicians name in my tags].
More information:
www.facebook.com/arabicmusicsoas.
