Jawa – Last Breaths from Aleppo (Muziekpublique, 2023)
Multinational ensemble Jawa plays transfixing music that is rooted in Sufi practices. Indeed, Jawa is dedicated to preserving the rich musical Sufi tradition of Aleppo, a heritage that is at risk due to the ongoing Syrian conflict. As the Sufi masters who safeguarded this tradition disappear, Jawa aims to protect these songs from being lost.
On Last Breaths from Aleppo, the ensemble presents captivating, exquisitely crafted traditional Sufi muwashahat through their unique vision, maintaining the classical performance style characterized by complex rhythms and Middle Eastern maqams.
The Band
Khaled Alhafez (vocals): Born in Aleppo in 1981, Khaled is a professor at the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus and has been residing in Belgium since 2013. He is a member of several groups, including Ramal Band, Nawa Band, and Wajd Ensemble. He has performed at numerous international festivals, such as the Beirut Beydine Festival and the Damascus Opera.
Tammam Alramadan (artistic direction, nay): Born in Edlib, Syria, Tammam began learning the kanun at age 10 and studied at the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus. He has performed across Syria, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Europe. He released his first album, Man’s Journey, in 2015 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in world music at the University of Hildesheim.
Youssef Nassif (kanun): Youssef studied at conservatories in Marrakesh, Paris, and Tourcoing. An expert in traditional Arabic and Turkish repertoires, he has collaborated with masters like Kudsi Erguner and introduced the five-string violin to Middle Eastern music. He has performed worldwide, including in Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and works with prominent Arab artists.
Marwan Fakir (violin): Born in Aleppo in 1994, Marwan graduated from the Arab Institute of Music in Aleppo. He moved to Belgium in 2014 and has worked on various projects, including Refugees for Refugees and the Violet Orchestra Leuven. He has collaborated with the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and can be heard on Tamino’s Habibi album.
Yousef Zayed (oud): Born in Jerusalem, Yousef began playing Middle Eastern percussion instruments at age 11. He studied at the Edward Said National Conservatory in Ramallah and holds a degree in media from Birzeit University. He has performed with numerous groups and artists, including The Joubran Trio and the Palestinian Youth Orchestra.
Hatem Al Jamal (dervish dancer): Hatem is dedicated to continuing the dervish dance tradition passed down through his ancestry, a practice originating in Damascus in the 13th century.
Simon Leleux (percussion): Simon specializes in Middle Eastern percussion, with a focus on the darbuka. He trained at Codarts in Rotterdam and has performed with diverse projects, from Oriental music to Baroque, and has worked with artists like Ghalia Benali and Tcha Limberger.
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.