Yoni Avi Battat – Fragments (2022)
“Fragments” is the first album by American multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer Yoni Avi Battat. The album includes a delightful mix of traditional music and original compositions inspired by his Iraqi-Jewish identity.
On “Fragments”, Yoni Avi Battat skillfully uses Arabic modes and rhythms performed by Arabic and North African musical instruments as well as western classical strings. Meanwhile, the lyrics are in Arabic, Hebrew, English, and Yiddish.
“Growing up in an American Jewish community dominated by European culture, I had very little access to the music, language, and traditions of my Iraqi-Jewish ancestors. As an adult, I’ve had to make a concerted effort to learn Arabic music and language in order to represent my Arab-Jewish ancestry as a musician. Studying these musical traditions has connected me deeply with my roots, but there are still so many parts of my family’s experience about which I will never know. I can no longer ask my grandparents about their life in Baghdad or their departure from Iraq. I can’t visit the land where my ancestors lived for thousands of years.”
To learn more about his roots, Yoni studied Jewish Arabic poetry, researching translations and tracking down rare editions of Arabic books.
“As you experience these original and traditional pieces, I invite you to approach memory in a new way—not through exact facts, dates, and photos but through your senses and your imagination. Allow these smells, textures, tastes, and sounds to transport you to a place and time you have never been. When we cannot access the specific details of our families’ stories, our imagination can still bring us a real and intimate connection with where we come from.”
Lineup: Yoni Avi Battat on lead vocal, violin, viola, oud; Jamal Sinno on qanun; Naseem Alatrash on cello; Dr. Ann E. Lucas on nay; Fabio Pirozzolo on riq, frame drum, karkabas; Jesse Chevan on darbuka, frame drum; James Heazlewood Dale on bass; Dena El Saffar on joza; Laura Elkeslassy on lead vocals, backing vocals; Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell on backing vocals; Leah Carnow on backing vocals; Yosef Goldman on backing vocals; and Razi Battat on lead vocals.
Fragments is a finely crafted album that has the feel of a classic Arabic music orchestra with elements of jazz style improvisation featuring seductive rhythms, sumptuous strings and dazzling virtuosity.
More about Yoni Avi Battat
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.