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Pan-Middle Eastern Collective
MIRA AWAD
Makam Salam is a London-based collective of Pan-Middle-Eastern diaspora artists, creating a boundary-defying fusion of regional traditions, contemporary jazz, and cross-cultural storytelling.
The ensemble unites Palestinian, Israeli, Iranian, Lebanese, Turkish, Kurdish, Tunisian, Moroccan and Jewish musicians - to create a unique fusion that honours regional heritage, embraces innovation, and carries a powerful message.
"Makam Salam's sold-out concerts offer signs of hope and resilience at a time when many are succumbing to despair."
- Haaretz Newspaper
Listen:
WATCH LIVE
Makam Salaam Showreel 3.mp4Makam Salam & Mira Awad
Cigdem - Makam Salam Live June.movMakam's Groove
FEATURING
Featured collaborators and extended members of the collective include:
MIRA AWAD
MIRA AWAD
Award-winning, internationally acclaimed Palestinian-Israeli artist and artivist. Awad has performed at the Eurovision, collaborated with Bobby McFerrin, Noa, Andrea Bocelli, members of the Rolling Stones and Genesis, and recently opened the Italian Sanremo Music Festival.
Olcay Bayir
Olcay Bayir
“One of the finest, most intriguing singers on the British world music scene " - The Guardian
Acclaimed as the "Queen of Anatolian song in the West" (Heaven Magazine), of Kurdish-Alevi origin, collaborating deeply with Makam Salam.
Bayir performs regularly at Festivals like WOMAD (2022), MusicPort (2022-2025), Sidmouth and more.
Çiğdem Aslan
Çiğdem Aslan
"Aslan sings up a storm ... of wild, haunted beauty." Songlines Magazine
Turkish-Kurdish artist acclaimed for her vibrant interpretations of Rebetiko (“Aegean Blues”) and Anatolian folk song, performs in Turkish, Greek, Kurdish, Ladino and more. Beloved across Europe’s top stages (WOMAD festival, Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, BBC Radio), Aslan brings deep cultural roots and electrifying performances.
Collective Members
Collective Members
CORE COLLECTIVE
Makam Salam's core collective includes acclaimed Middle Eastern & Jewish diaspora artists in the UK:
Clarinet – Daniel Gouly (UK)
Violin & voice – Rita Issa (Lebanon/UK)
Oud – Baha Yetkin (Turkey)
Keys & musical direction – Tomer Eldor (Israel)
Drums – Oliver Kourosh Rutherford (Iran/UK)
Percussion – David Mordechai (UK).
EXTENDED COLLECTIVE
Extended collective members flexibly join for larger shows for fuller orchestral sounds and showcases, including:
Berber Diffusion – London's leading Moroccan Gnawa band masters
Ofer Peled – Ney, world flutes & saxophones (Israel)
Mohamed Ghrab – Tunisian oud player & singer
Meera Eilabouni – Palestinian vocalist & rapper
And more.
Past Collaborations
Include:
NOA (Achinoam Nini) – International multi-award-winning artist (Collaborations include Sting, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones)
Broken Fingaz – Renowned Palestinian-Israeli visual art collective (joining Makam Salam for live Visual Art when possible).
And many more.
Makam Salam is a flexible, London-based ensemble performing in configurations ranging from intimate 5–7 piece line-ups to full 12–15 piece productions.
The collective delivers concerts and workshops rooted in contemporary Middle Eastern jazz, blending tradition, improvisation, and storytelling - each performance centres on musical collaboration across cultures..
Recent Shows
Recent Shows
Next Door Records Dalston
Feat. Olcay Bayir, Cigdem Aslan, Berber Diffusion
Headline Show (Sold Out)
(Small-Medium Ensemble Size: 6-8 performers)
PIZZA EXPRESS JAZZ LIVE
Feat. Mira Awad & Olcay Bayir
Headline Show (Sold Out)
(Medium-Large Ensemble: 8-10 performers)
Stone Nest
(Feat. NOA & Mira Awad)
Headline Show (Sold Out)
(Large ensemble: 12-15 performers & showcase)
UPCOMING SHOWS & FESTIVALS
Include:
UPCOMING SHOWS & FESTIVALS
Include:
• LONDON EFG JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026
• Jazz In the Round at the Cockpit Theatre - Feb 2026
• LONDON EFG JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026
• Jazz In the Round at the Cockpit Theatre - Feb 2026
• "Peace is The Song" at Palestine House, London - Feb 2026
• "Peace is The Song" at Palestine House, London - Feb 2026
and more to be announced soon.
Quotes
Quotes
"The audience, myself included, was deeply moved; we laughed and cried together... for a moment, we felt hope."
– Stone Nest (Inna Schorr, Artistic Director)
"Makam Salam's sold-out concerts offer signs of hope and resilience at a time when many are succumbing to despair."
– Haaretz Paper
"My goodness - What an impeccable execution of a profound, powerful and light-filled vision. I’m in awe, I’m in gratitude. What a privilege it is to have been there tonight.
– Moncaya (acclaimed musician, over 1M streams), after attending Makam's concert
Workshops, Jams, & Community
Workshops, Jams, & Community
Makam Salam also runs interactive workshops for festivals, community cultural organisations, and runs regular community jams for artists from the wider MENA region heritage to come and play together.
Workshops include:
Circle Singing & Multilingual Harmony
Music for Peacebuilding
Maqam–Jazz Fusion Masterclass
Middle-Eastern Jazz-Fusion improvisation Jam Facilitation
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