Ahmed Moneka’s musical journey departed from Baghdad, his place of birth, and along the way he has absorbed aspects of traditional and popular music from the Middle East, North Africa, the Caribbean, as well as North America en route to Toronto, from where he leads this superb pan-stylistic eight-piece ensemble. Using this gamut of musical material as a foundation, he composes his own songs, often mining the narratives and themes of old Iraqi stories for material. While undeniably dance music –– as your hips will prove –– Moneka Arabic Jazz plumbs deep roots to tell compelling and wide-ranging stories.
Saturday, 16 September, 9:30pm • Market Square Stage • free
Photo credit: Devin Loran