A double bill of vocalist Hamid Al-Saadi and the revered Iraqi Maqam tradition, and trumpeter, composer, santur player, and vocalist Amir ElSaffar’s New Quartet. The performance presents the first two records on ElSaffar’s newly established label, Maqām Records, which highlights music based on the maqam modal tradition of Iraq and the larger Middle East, and is dedicated to bringing both historical and contemporary maqam music to global audiences.

Vocalist Hamid Al-Saadi performs the revered Iraqi Maqam tradition, accompanied by Safaafir, playing traditional instruments of the Chalghi Baghdadi. Al-Saadi (b.1958, Iraq), is the only living singer who has mastered the entire Iraqi Maqam repertoire. Inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list, the Iraqi Maqam is a repertoire of long-form compositions of sung poetry that has been passed down orally for generations. Al-Saadi’s Maqam Al-Iraq (Maqām) is the first Iraqi Maqam release by any artist in over a decade.

Amir ElSaffar’s New Quartet is a meeting between ElSaffar’s longstanding collaborators, Tomas Fujiwara and Ole Mathisen, and Greek pianist Tania Giannouli (U.S. Premiere). The four musicians came together in 2023 in one of Europe’s best sounding halls, the Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin. The magic and intuitive ease between the musicians was riveting and powerful, bringing ElSaffar’s unique microtonal compositions to new heights. The recording of that performance will be released on Maqām Records in November 2025. Giannouli, who plays a microtonal piano in the quartet, is one of Europe’s fastest rising stars, performing at all the major jazz festivals and concert halls. This concert marks her first time taking the stage in the U.S., as well as the group’s U.S. premiere.

Set 1
Hamid Al-Saadi maqam vocal
Dena El Saffar violin and joza
Tim Moore percussion

Set 2
Amir ElSaffar santur, trumpet
Tomas Fujiwara drums
Ole Mathisen tenor saxophone
Tania Giannouli piano

A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing.

Maqām Records serves as the creative publishing arm of Maqam Studio, a new initiative founded by trumpeter, santur player, vocalist, and composer Amir ElSaffar. The label is dedicated to bringing both historical and contemporary maqam music to global audiences. The label focuses on creating high-quality recordings that document traditional maqam repertoire while creating innovative interpretations through new commissions and collaborations. Building on the foundation of releasing works by master practitioners like Hamid Al-Saadi and Amir ElSaffar, we are expanding to showcase emerging artists from Iraq and the broader Middle East, while supporting publishing of new creative works coming from Maqam Studio, including new works from the artist Residency and Commissions programs. Maqam Records contributes to both preservation and innovation inspired by the tradition.