Kazdoura
Kazdoura | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Toronto, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Label | |
| Website | www.kazdouramusic.com |
Kazdoura is a Canada-based band that bridges modern and traditional Arabic music with elements of psychedelia, funk and soul. The band was founded in Toronto by Syrian vocalist Leen Hamo and Lebanese multi-instrumentalist John Abou Chacra in 2020. The name Kazdoura means “a short, spontaneous trip”[1] or simply ”to stroll or walk” in Levantine Arabic.[2]
Hamo left her hometown of Aleppo in 2014 during the Syrian civil war and spend two years as refugee in Turkey before settling in Canada.[3] She cites taarab, classical Arabic and Egyptian music as influences, particularly Rima Khcheich, Ziad Rahbani and Oum Kulthum.[3]
Chacra grew up in Kuwait and was more strongly influenced by rock, jazz and funk. He has described his approach to arranging music as being naturally shaped by Western genres.[1] He first met Hamo at a fundraiser in Toronto following the 2020 Beirut explosion.[4]
Their music has been described as "[...] drawing from Levantine maqams and classical Arabic phrasing while weaving in jazz improvisation, funk rhythm, disco sparkle and electro-pop detail."[4]
Awards
[edit]In 2025, the song “Khayal“ won the Folk Music Ontario Award (FMO) for Best Music Video.[5] In 2026, Kazdoura received the Canadian Folk Music Award "Global Roots Album of the Year".[6] The same year, they won the Juno Award for Global Music Album of the Year. Both for the album Ghoyoum.[7]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Wain, EP (2022)
- Ghoyoum (2025)
Singles
[edit]- Wain (2022)
- 7issar (2024)
- Gulli MetaShoofak (2024)
- Mili (2024)
- Marhaba Ahlen (2024)
- Khayal (2024)
- Bala Wda3 (2025)
- and then? (2025)
References
[edit]- 1 2 Yakimchuk, Barbara (2025-12-05). "Meet Kazdoura: The Duo Turning Pain And Memory Into Music". sandytimes.ae. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
- ↑ Alexander, Simon (2025-04-12). "Review: Kazdoura, the Jam Jar - 'Irresistibly groovy' %". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- 1 2 Hajjar, Danny (2026-01-02). "Meet Kazdoura, the Duo Fusing Psychedelic Rock with Traditional Arabic Maqam". GQ Middle East. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- 1 2 RP_Admin (2025-10-18). "Musical Road to Womex 2025 - Kazdoura". Rhythm Passport. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ "Awards". Folk Canada. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ Canada, Roots Music (2026-04-12). "Here are your 2026 Canadian Folk Music Award winners | Roots Music Canada". Retrieved 2026-07-16.
- ↑ "Kazdoura's 'Ghoyoum' Wins Global Album of the Year at the Juno Awards". SecneNow. Retrieved 2026-06-30.