WHO WE ARE
London-based collective uniting Pan Middle-Eastren (Palestinian, Israeli, Iranian, Lebanese, Turkish, Kurdish, Tunisian, Moroccan, Jewish, and Arab) diaspora artists, blendnig maqam-based regional music and jazz fusion
OUR SOUND
Ancestral Middle Eastern traditions meet contemporary jazz fusion and improvisation. Ney flutes, daff percussion, electric oud, and synths create genre-defying, electrifying fusion rooted in centuries of border-crossing heritage
OUR MISSION
We demonstrate what becomes possible when musicians create together across differences and borders - honouring shared heritage through collective creation, harmony, and musical dialogue - in one powerful message.
WHAT WE OFFER
Flexible Sizes: 5-12 musicians (scalable to context)
Featured Collaborators: Mira Awad (Eurovision), Olcay Bayır (songlines award), Çiğdem Aslan (critic's award)
Workshops: Circle singing, Grief ancient ceremony, collective song creation etc
FLEXIBLE LINE-UP SIZES
Makam Salam is a flexible collective, able to perform in multiple formats depending on the stage and occasion:
Small & Intimate: 5-7 piece (for smaller occasions)
Complete Band: 9-piece (Our Default, Full Band)
Extended: 10-12 piece (for larger events & orchestral sound)
Concerts will usually host one (or more) of our featured headline vocalists and artists
Award-winning and internationally acclaimed Palestinian heritage artist.
Awad has performed at the Eurovision, collaborated with Bobby McFerrin, Noa, Andrea Bocelli, members of The Rolling Stones and Genesis, and just recently opened the Italian SanRemo Music Festival.
“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 and regularly with Makam Salam.
Bayir performs regularly at Festivals like WOMAD, MusicPort World Music Festival, Sidmouth and many more.
"The audience, myself included, was deeply moved; we laughed and cried together... for a moment, we felt hope."
- Stone Nest (Inna Schorr, Stone Nest 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 delightful vision.
I’m in awe.
– MONCAYA (acclaimed musician
Pizze Express Jazz Club Soho (Sold Out)
Stone Nest - Makam Salam feat. Noa (Achinoan Nimi) and Mira Awad (Sold Out)
Next Door Records Dalston (Sold Out)
EFG Jazz Festival 2026
Shambhala Music Festival 2026 (*TBC)
Soul Revolution Festival 2026
Jazz in the Round - The Cockpit Theatre
and many more
CONCERTS
From small (4-piece), to normal (9 piece full band) to extended (12 piece orchestral sound) concerts large and small, captivating audiences from intimate spaces to large halls, suiting various energy from emotional journey to upbeat-grooves bangers.
Offerring Special collaborations with star guests (like Mira Awad) for headline projects.
WORKSHOPS
Running workshops such as:
Circle-Singing & Vocal Improvisation in Harmonies
Maqam-Jazz Fusion Masterclass
Collaborative Song Creation
Grief & healing through music / Grief sound shrine offering - ancient Middle-Eastern practice
Jams & Musical Meditations
Makam Salam regularly hosts jams and delighted to bring an open canvas of maqam-infused jazz background for a space to jam with.
The ensemble can also offer Musical Meditation hours for a sufi-like musical meditation practice.