Sat Aug 3 21:30
Moneka Arabic Jazz
Ahmed Moneka hails from Iraq, where he learned to sing traditional Arabic music. Debuting at Chamberfest is his group Moneka Arabic Jazz, a danceable mix of Maqam-influenced melodies and African grooves flavoured by the diverse backgrounds of his Torontonian bandmates. In these intricately crafted songs that range from traditional Arabic sounds to reggae to ballads to multicultural blues/jazz/pop, Moneka’s musical storytelling touches on his experiences as an Afro-Iraqi refugee and his passion for human rights. In his project Moneka Arabic Jazz, Moneka’s goal of creating togetherness and harmony through connecting cultures is achieved, making his concerts safe and joyful spaces for musicians and concert goers alike.
- Ahmed Monekamultidisciplinary artist
- Moneka Arabic Jazzensemble
More Concerts
Festival 2024
Experience five spectacular programs on our Signature Series, featuring large-scale collaborations between world-renowned musicians at Ottawa’s Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. The 2024 Signature Series is generously sponsored by Bytek Volkswagen & Carling Volvo.
This series celebrates Canada’s world-class standard in chamber performance, featuring core string ensembles, solo piano, brass and vocal ensembles, and more! Taking place at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, these concerts are generously supported by Marina Kun (of Ottawa-based and internationally loved Kun Shoulder Rests).
Our late-night Chamberfringe concerts cross genres and art forms, pushing the boundaries of chamber music with daring and electric performances. Offering everything from lively Arabic jazz to Middle Eastern-Metal fusion, Indigenous beats, and ambient chamber-electronica to Yiddish folk song, or a full-on Ukrainian-Celtic-Arab mashup, there’s always something fresh to check out!
Our Chamberfringe shows take place at La Nouvelle Scène, Club SAW, and The Gladstone Theatre, providing a more casual setting where audiences can enjoy beverages and immerse themselves in the buzzing late-night atmosphere.
