MAZAJ
SOME FLYERS FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS
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Biography
Open or CloseMAZAJ
MAZAJ are predominately a trio of musicians who have a passionate interest in music from across the Middle East. Their repertoire is broad and varied ranging from classical instrumental compositions through to regional folk traditions and the ever popular Arabic and Turkish dance melodies of the 1940's - 1960's. They have considerable knowledge about the various genres and have many years of experience playing their respective instruments. They have been playing together since 2007 and have played at many notable venues and events. Mazaj can also provide dancers for any event if required, please enquire if you would like a dance element.BOOKING
MAZAJ can be booked in the following formats:
MAZAJ TRIO - ( Russell, Chas and Maren ) This is the main core band. You can see videos below and hear tracks in the SET LIST section. Please note the Trio can play the full set list.
MAZAJ DUO - ( Chas and Maren ) You can see videos below and hear tracks in the SET LIST section. Please note the Duo play only some of the full set list.
MAZAJ QUARTET - ( Russell, Chas , Maren and Jo ) For an expanded sound Jo Levine on Accordion can join the trio - You can hear tracks in the SET LIST section. Please note the Quartet play only some of the full set list.
To enquire about rates please CONTACT HERE -
Band Members
Open or CloseRUSSELL HARRIS
OUD, SAZ, REBAB, MIDDLE EASTERN PERCUSSION
Russell has been involved in the study and performance of Middle Eastern music since the mid 1980's - After an initial period of study in Konya, Turkey specialising in Anatolian folk traditions with Ustat Ahmet Ozdemir, a renowned player of Oud and Saz ( long necked lute ) he broadened the scope of his study to include Arabic instrumental styles, specialising in Oud and Percussion. Russell has performed extensively throughout the UK with groups Bazigah, Taaliqa and Panacea and with a range of international artists including Adel Salameh and Naziha Azzouz.MAREN LUEG
TRADITIONAL MIDDLE EASTERN WIND INSTRUMENTS - NEY, TURKISH CLARINET, ZURNA AND SAXOPHONE, SILVER AND WOODEN FLUTES.
Maren was born and raised in Germany and is now resident in the UK. Inspired by the sounds she heard from the Turkish and East European communities, she began studying these styles as well as Jazz, Blues and Latin on the saxophone and flute. She performs regularly with British and Middle Eastern musicians around the UK and has studied such traditional Middle Eastern wind instruments as the Nay (bamboo flute) and Zurna (double reed pipe) in Turkey and Egypt. She has a Masters on the Nay at the London School of African and Oriental Studies.CHAS WHITAKER
DARABUKA / DOUF / RIQ / ZILLS.
Chas has been playing Middle Eastern and North African percussion for over 25 years. Predominately self-taught he has travelled extensively across Egypt, Turkey and Morocco where he also studied. -
Set List
Open or CloseMAZAJ ARABIC SONG SET LIST
00:0000:00- Al Ataba Ghazaz
- Alf Layla Wa Layla
- Ana Fi Intizarak
- Aziza
- Baladi Mazaj
- Bedouin Fire
- Bin Elbarach Li'elyum
- Drum Solo ( Saaidi Groove )
- Dulab Hijaz & Samra
- El Nom
- Fog el Nakhal
- Il Bulbul
- Kawal & Rabab
- Nasam Aleyn Il Hawa
- Pasta Baghdadya
- Raqset Gamal
- Sharq Jalaman Qadsawarak
- Ya Laila Hilwa
- Yain Mawalatin / Bedouin Tune / Noura Noura
- Zurna & Drum
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Some other unrecorded songs we play live include: LAMMA BADA YATATHANNA, SAMA'AI NAWA ATHAR
SAMA'AI BAYATI AL ARIAN, SAMA'AI BAYATI THAQIL, YA SHADI AL-ALHAN.MAZAJ TURKISH SONG SET LIST
00:0000:00- Chiftitelli
- Ney Solo
- Rampi Rampi aka Çadirimin Üstüne
- Sebasdia Bar
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Some other unrecorded songs we play live include: ÇEÇEN KIZI , GUNES TOPLA BENIM ICI , HICAZ MANDRA, HICAZ ILLAHI, HÜSEYNI ILAHI, KADIFEDEN KESESI, NIHAVENT OYEN HAVASI, SISELER, TELGRAFIN TELLERINE, USKUDARA GIDERIKEN.
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Past Events
Open or CloseMAZAJ have played at many notable events, here are some selected highlights:
MAZAJ TRIO:
FESTIVALSGLASTONBURY FESTIVAL - Avalon Cafe Stage, Tadpole Stage, Mandala Stage, Small World Stage, Ancient Futures Stage, West Holts Backstage Stage. Clapped Out Stage. - 2007, 2010.
WOMAD - Supporting Chas and Carmen's Introduction To Arabic Drumming and Dance Workshops - 2009 - 2012.
BIG GREEN GATHERING - Small World Stage - 2007.
BATH FRINGE FESTIVAL -2009, 2010 and 2012.
EXETER RESPECT FESTIVAL - Main Stage, Big Top - 2010.
MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC, DRUM & DANCE FESTIVAL - 2009 - 2012.
BATH FOLK FESTIVAL - 2012.
AEON FESTIVAL - 2010.
FROME FESTIVAL - Cafe La Strada -2009.
LEAMINGTON PEACE FESTIVAL - 2007, 2011.
KINGSTON GREEN FAYRE - 2008.
MIDDLE EASTERN FESTIVAL - Findhorn - 2007.
TRIBE OF DORIS - Intercultural Summer School -2010.
DRUM CAMP - 2009, 2017
WOMAD MALMESBURY SCHOOLS PROJECT - Sherston Village Hall & Malmesbury Abbey - 2013
WOMAD MALMESBURY SCHOOLS PROJECT - Main Stage Opening Concert - 2013
LIVERPOOL ARABIC ARTS FESTIVAL - Sefton Park Palm House, Liverpool - 2015UNIVERSITIES
EXETER UNIVERSITY - Arabic Society Cultural Event - 2009.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY UNION BALL - 2008.
OXFORD BROOKES STUDENT UNION ARABIAN NIGHT - 2008.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY CASABLANCA BALL - 2010.
SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES - London - 2014
OXFORD UNIVERSITY - St Cross College - 2014OTHERS
BRADFORD AND BINGLEY AWARDS CEREMONY - Elstree Film Studios - 2008.
BRADFORD AND BINGLEY AWARDS CEREMONY - Bradford - 2008 .
ELECTROSTATIC Dreams From The East - Colston Hall, Bristol - 2011.
PRIVATE EVENT - Royal Institute Of Charted Surveyors - 2011.
CLUB CAIRO - Bath - 2010 - 2013
BIKE SHED - Exeter - 2012 & 2013.
ST AIDENS - Bristol - 2012
HEATHROW OXFAM CHARITY BALL - Hilton Hotel, Heathrow - London - 2015
HOLBORN MUSEUM - Bath - 2018INTERNATIONAL
NORWAY - BERGENFEST - Festivalbaren, Hotel Norge Nedre Ole Bulls plass 4,, Bergen, Hordaland - 2010.
MAZAJ DUO:
FESTIVALS
GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL - MAZAJ DUO and Carmen performed live for a live broadcast on BBC 2 - 2008. With Phil Jupitus and Lauren Leverne. You can watch it HERE.
GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL - Tadpole Stage -2008.
DRUM CAMP - 2006 - 2012. TRIBE OF DORIS - Intercultural Summer School - 2006 - 2011.
THE BIG CHILL - 2009.
BATH FRINGE FESTIVAL With El Uzza Dance Co. - 2007
MAJMA - Middle Eastern Dance Festival - Glastonbury - 2007.
SCIROCCO DANCE FESTIVAL - With Karine Butchard - 2009.
BEST OF THE WEST DANCE SPECTACULAR. Bristol - 2007.
AVALONCAN - Glastonbury - 100 Monkeys - 2007.
HOPFEST - 2012.
ROYAL OAK FESTIVAL - Bath - 2008.
DIVER-CITY FESTIVAL - Bath Spa University - 2013
SUNRISE FESTIVAL - Nr Bath - 2013OTHERS
PLANET EGYPT - London - 2009.
ORIENTAL DESTINY THEATRE PRODUCTION - Kingswood Theatre - Bath - 2008.
CHESTER ROMAN RE-ENACTMENT FESTIVAL - 2009 - 2012.
ORIENTAL RUGS OF BATH - Residency - 2012 - 2014.
NEWTON MILL CAMPSITE RESIDENCY - April to Oct. 2011.
SECRET WORLD ARABIAN BALL - 2010.
OXFORD REGENTS COLLAGE - 2009.
CAMDEN LOCK MARKET - Performance Walkabout - 2007. "PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT EXHIBITION" - Bristol Museum - 2013
SOMMERVILLE CLUB - Bristol - 2013
SILK MILL - Frome - 2014 ( with Hagai Bilitzky )
EGYPT 2 AFRICA - Portsmouth - 2014
SYRIAN REFUGEE'S CULTURAL EXCHANGE & NETWORKING EVENT - Cambridge City Council - 2017
CHARITY FUNDRAISER FOR YEMEN - Sheffield - 2017INTERNATIONAL
IBIZA. Mazaj Duo and Carmen with Yaron Marko and Nur Banu.. - Namaste Club, Las Dalios Hippy Market, San Carlos, Sant Eulalia,- Kumaharas Restaurant, On The Beach Reastaurant, Cala San Vicente. 2011, 2012.
TURKEY - Butterfly Valley, Uzunyurt. 2009.
TURKEY - Fethyie World Music Festival - 2013 & 2019
GERMANY - Liquid Sound Festival - Bad Orb & Sulza - 2012 & 2014
GERMANY - Hagen -Dreifaltigkeits Kirche, Cafe Dialog, - 2010 - 2013.
GERMANY - Hagen - Kulturzentrum Pelmke - 2014.
GERMANY - Iserlohn - Dechenhohle - 2014.
GERMANY - Hagen - AllerWeltHaus - 2014.
GERMANY - Hitdorf - Open Sky Seminar House - Germany - 2015
GERMANY - Hagen - Muschelsalat Festival - Germany - 2015
MAZAJ VIDEOS
To see videos for either the Duo or Trio please click on the YouTube playlists below. Please click on the "Playlist" icon to navigate and don't forget to set the video quality to the best possible as most of these videos are in HD.