MAMA - Eastern Jazz Quintet

Mamar is a world-jazz ensemble, featuring musicians from the U.S., Turkey, Italy, Syria, and the Netherlands. Their music fuses cinematic textures, Middle Eastern folk traditions, and jazz—creating soundscapes that evoke desert winds, mountain peaks and quiet inner worlds. All five members are accomplished musicians with a strong foundation in jazz and Arabic music traditions. They met while studying at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam, where they all graduated with high honors. Their debut album, also titled Mamar— meaning “aisle” or “pathway”—reflects a journey through change, grief, and transformation. The music invites listeners to slow down and reconnect with stillness and emotional depth in a chaotic world. Mamar performs as an acoustic quintet and is well-suited for jazz festivals, world music stages, cultural programs, and intimate seated concerts. The group offers a flexible setup and a captivating live experience that resonates across genres and audiences.

Leah Uijterlinde - clarinet, vocals Rita Brancato - drums Sebastiaan West - piano Baris Ofluoglu - double bass Talal Fayad - oud