Moneka Arabic Jazz

Moneka Arabic Jazz is a project reflecting the life and artistic journey of its founder, Ahmed Moneka from Baghdad to Toronto. It showcases melodies from his homeland of Iraq, interwoven with African grooves and rhythms inherited from his family. Moneka Arabic Jazz share this rich heritage and traditions with Toronto musicians including other immigrants from Greece, Sudan, and Algeria, as well as seasoned Canadian jazz and funk players. The result is a sound that is distinct and exotic and grooves hard.

Charismatic frontman Ahmed Moneka trained as an actor as well as vocalist and has worked in TV, film and theatre. He draws inspiration for songwriting from extensive research into stories from Iraq and contemporary local and global realities, telling stories of human struggle and freedom and using his art to promote human rights, love, peace, and acceptance.

Moneka Arabic Jazz were the winners of the 2022 Stingray Rising award at Mundial Montreal festival and runners up for the same at the Toronto Jazz Festival. Their first EP Bridge was released last year. This is their first tour to western Canada.

General admission tickets are available for $20 to be affordable to anyone who wishes to attend, or $30 help sustain this concert series. The choice is yours. Teen tickets are only $5 and tickets for kids are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Tickets: $30/$20 Adult, $5 Teen (ages 13-19), Child under 13 free with an accompanying adult (+applicable taxes and fees)