The trio Radio Baghdad plays music from the rich repertoire of Iraqi maqam, developed in the cultural capital Baghdad and reaching its peak in the early 20th century. Musically, the Iraqi maqam brings together popular and classical Arabic music, with some influences of Persian music. The lyrics also bring together classical Arabic and Iraqi Arabic, at times incorporating other languages like Persian, Kurdish, and Turkish. Traditionally, the Iraqi Jews played an important part in the development and preservation of Iraqi maqam heritage as musicians, singers, and composers. And so, it happened that in the 1950s, this music immigrated with them to Israel.
Radio Baghdad’s lead singer, Aviv Ezra, grew up listening to Iraqi maqam played by his father and grandfather. He returns to these sounds with his voice and darbuka, along with Johanna Riethmueller with violin and vocals, and Yaniv Mazel with oud and vocals. The collaboration between the three started over a decade ago when they first met in Tel Aviv’s punk and alternative music scene.
Radio Baghdad are Aviv Ezra (vocals and darbuka), Johanna Riethmueller (violin and vocals), and Yaniv Mazel (oud and vocals)