CHICAGO MAQAM
TRADITIONAL ARAB MUSIC AND CONTEMPORARY IMPROVISATION
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Chicago Maqam is an ensemble founded by accomplished Middle Eastern solo artists from Egyptian, Palestinian, and Syrian descent living in the Chicagoland area. The core members are Ronnie Malley, Karim Nagi, Issam Rafea, Naeif Rafeh, and Wanees Zarour. They are also frequently accompanied by guest artists. The group came together at the prominent Chicago venue Constellation to volunteer for a relief effort benefiting victims of the 2023 earthquake that devastated Syria and Turkey. Since then, the ensemble has built a following among Chicago’s diverse communities bringing people together from different backgrounds across multiple music genres.