Featuring Amir ElSaffar - trumpet, Simon Barker - drum kit, Aviva Endean - bass clarinet, Jacques Emery - bass, Peter Knight trumpet and electronics, Lizzy Welsh - violin, and others.

Part of Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2020

Exclusive headlining concert with Iraqi-American jazz composer and trumpeter.

Amir ElSaffar is a renowned trumpeter, santur player, vocalist, composer and purveyor of the centuries-old Iraqi Maqam tradition. His imaginative music will join the innovative sounds of the Australian Art Orchestrain a one-off Meeting Points Series concert as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

A master musician in an age of cross-cultural music making, ElSaffar’s ground-breaking compositions reflect a deep understanding of the microtones and ornaments signature to Arabic music. Having trained in European classical music and American jazz, ElSaffar’s passionate and visceral music is one to behold.

The New York based musician’s previous works draw on his time spent traveling between Europe and the Middle East to study with the few surviving masters of the Iraqi Maqam, reflecting a region in turmoil and strife.

This collaboration will create a stunning representation of music in the 21st century.