The Anwar Abudragh visit wrap up

Anwar Abudragh, master of Iraqi maqam (traditional songs), oud and joze (small spike-fiddle) conducted music workshops and concerts in August in collaboration with BEMAC, BAMEDAN and the Brisbane Powerhouse. For the first time Anwar Abudragh brought his classical Iraqi music mastery (developed at the Baghdad University and through his work with Iraqi music masters Munir Basheer and Nasser Shamma) to Brisbane. Abudragh also has extensive teaching experience teaching Western musicians the theory, form and improvisation of traditional Iraqi music, having taught in Europe for the last 9 years.
Awar Abudragh's Iraqi Maqam workshop was attended by 15 local musicians including players of oud, clarinet, ney, kemenche, erhu, setar, darabuka and singers. The size and accoustics of BEMAC's hall were perfect, as was the weather on the lawn during lunch break. The workshop participants performed one of the songs they learnt at the community concert on the following day which was also located in the lovely Yungaba hall. Kanagaroo Point locals attended the concert and the audience feedback was very positive.
Anwar Abudragh and local musicians including Nawraz Alfreh (kemanche), Greta Kelly (kemanche tarhu) and dancer Tamara Taylor performed as part of Brisbane's Queen St Mall Live program. A keen Iranian dancer hopped up on stage and danced to one of the debka (Arabic rythym) dance pieces with Tamara who was well received by the large audience who'd gathered.


The Brisbane Powerhouse hosted a fantastic concert on Saturday 15th August. The audience, some of whom recognised the songs of their youth, responded warmly and this enthusiasm and the clicking, clapping and ululation that it generates infected the whole crowd, who gave the performers two standing ovations. This concert was aptly named 'Anwar Abudragh and friends', because all the local musicians have been playing middle-eastern music together for several years now and because the genuine warmth of Anwar's spirit had made us all firm friends. For me it was the culmination of a long held dream; for the past two years I had attended workshops with Anwar at the Labyrinth Music School in Crete, Greece and wished I could share the privilige with my musical colleagues far away in Brisbane. Anwar's visit to Brisbane realised that dream and BEMAC's involvment enabled it. Thanks to all the hard-working crew at BEMAC.

Greta Kelly