The Arabic Orchestra of Barcelona (AOB) was born 5 years ago through 4 Moroccans’ initiative lead by Mohamed Soulimane and had had from the beginning a thematic bet. “Our music is an important tool to explain our culture in a delicate political moment, where Islam is identified with terrorism, violence and radicalism. For us it’s just the opposite and that’s what we try to transmit with our rhythms, lyrics and music”. For Soulimane, main speaker of this consolidated formation, the AOB has not only a musical purpose but also the aim of educate, spread and be the spokesperson from all the Arabic without voice.The aim of the Arabic Orchestra of Barcelona (AOB) to promote an open musical set of ideas coming out as much from the repertoire of traditional themes of the Mediterranean Arabic countries and also original compositions and experiences based on the improvisation.
It’s probably because of these winks to Catalan culture that they have achieved an important space in strict program of the AUDITORI, and to count on La Caixa’s sponsorship.
Their second album "MAKTUB" (Harmonia Mundi) was released in december 2008.
The AOB was born in the middle of a Babylonian city where languages, tastes and senses intermingle. We can’t talk about “mixed races group” although perhaps we can talk about integration since the orchestra, that is formed by 4 Arabs, 3 Catalans and one Greek, and from time to time the Cuban “monster” Omar Sosa, so in the first song of their album Baraka they already sing “Dolça Catalunya, pàtria del meu cor” (Sweet Catalonia homeland of my heart), a phrase fit in a verse completely in Arabic.
“Our work goes beyond music, is social, political, artistic and didactic”. And that’s not little responsibility. In fact these musicians take part actively joining their particular fray, the scene, giving their opinion about facts as the 11M, the terrorist attack that sowed the panic among Madrid’s population. They composed the song “No a la tristesa” (A negative to sadness) in order to express their condemnation of the attack, which was included in their first record and is part of their usual repertoire. In their first record, the AOB sings to the immigrant, the one who arrives in an open boat searching for a chance. They also praise the Islam, which is peace and love, instead of terrorism and war. We could say the AOB is an example of publicspiritedness and integration, capable of representing Catalonia all over the world.
Mohamed Soulimane, from Chaouen (Morocco). Violin.
Mohammed Bout Ayoub, from Tanger (Morocco). Voice and lute.
Aziz El Kodari, from Rabat (Morocco). Voice and percussions.
Ioannis Papaioannou, from Tesalonica (Greece). Lute and Saz.
Jordi Gaig, from Catalonia (Spain).Keyboards.
Mohammed el Ghazi, from Tanger (Morocco). Percussions.
Joan Rectoret, from Catalonia (Spain). Bass
Sergio Ramos, from Catalonia (Spain). Drums.
