Artist Biography
This group takes its name from the marshlands in the Euphrates and Tigris delta in southern Iraq. The two principals are Saad Thamir (b. 1972, Baghdad, Iraq; percussion, piano, vocals) and Bassem Hawar (b. 1972, Baghdad, Iraq; djoze - Iraqi knee violin), both of whom are classically-trained musicians living in exile in Germany. Their companions are jazz musicians Fré Desmyter (b. Frederik Desmyter, 17 April 1967, Nieuwpoort, Belgium; piano) and Dietmar Fuhr (b. 1964, Germany; bass). The quartet’s music is a creative blend of maqam and jazz. Maqam is a traditional music of the marshland region, primarily vocal, that is based exclusively on melody with rhythmic variations and makes no use of harmony. The jazz musicians contribute Western harmonization and bring improvisation to the music. Ahoar won the Creole Competition award for World Music From Germany in 2007.
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