Al Qahwa

Al Qahwa performs original compositions, as well as popular traditional Arabic repertoire – from Sufi Devotional Love songs from the Arab World to popular folk songs.

Al Qahwa

Al Qahwa performs original compositions, as well as popular traditional Arabic repertoire – from Sufi Devotional Love songs from the Arab World to popular folk songs.

Al Qahwa is Maryem Tollar on vocals, riqq (Arabic tambourine) and qanun (Arabic table harp); Ernie Tollar on wind instruments; Demetri Petsalakis on oud (Arabic fretless lute) and Naghmeh Fahrahmand on percussion; Waleed Abdulhamid on bass and vocals; and Lauren Barnett  on b.up vocals and sax. Al Qahwa performs original compositions, as well as popular traditional Arabic repertoire – from Sufi Devotional Love songs from the Arab World to popular folk songs, to classic Egyptian songs made famous by the stars of Egypt (the Hollywood of the Middle East).

The group name Al Qahwa is Arabic for “the coffee house”. It was inspired by the coffee house culture in the Middle East where people would go to hear the latest news, music, poetry and stories. The repertoire began with traditional songs from Syria, Egypt and Iraq, then the group started adding original repertoire by members of the band. Their latest release “Weyn Allah” (Where Is God?) is nominated for the 2024 “Oliver Schroer – Pushing The Boundaries” Canadian Folk Music Award, and was nominated for the 2023 FMO ACTRA RACS Award for Best Recording Artist.

“The newly formed Al Qahwa Ensemble has already established itself as a champion of harmony and understanding. With conflict in the Middle East and as Syria continues to face unimaginable loss and destruction, the Al Qahwa Ensemble breathes life into the artistic traditions from these regions and gives audiences a new appreciation for them.”

Dorian Cox, Canadian Opera Company | Program Manager, Free Concert Series

“…the most stunning musical moment of the evening, the superb Tollar singing, a capella, Afdihi in Hafidhal Hawa Ow Diy’a, a solo that transcended cultural barriers, a passionate, soulful, heart-rending bit of intense emotion that reached every person in Koerner Hall, Eastern, Western, whatever.”

Robert Harris, The Globe and Mail

Al Qahwa is Maryem Tollar on vocals, riqq (Arabic tambourine) and qanun (Arabic table harp); Ernie Tollar on wind instruments; Demetri Petsalakis on oud (Arabic fretless lute) and Naghmeh Fahrahmand on percussion; Waleed Abdulhamid on bass and vocals; and Lauren Barnett  on b.up vocals and sax. Al Qahwa performs original compositions, as well as popular traditional Arabic repertoire – from Sufi Devotional Love songs from the Arab World to popular folk songs, to classic Egyptian songs made famous by the stars of Egypt (the Hollywood of the Middle East).

The group name Al Qahwa is Arabic for “the coffee house”. It was inspired by the coffee house culture in the Middle East where people would go to hear the latest news, music, poetry and stories. The repertoire began with traditional songs from Syria, Egypt and Iraq, then the group started adding original repertoire by members of the band. Their latest release “Weyn Allah” (Where Is God?) is nominated for the 2024 “Oliver Schroer – Pushing The Boundaries” Canadian Folk Music Award, and was nominated for the 2023 FMO ACTRA RACS Award for Best Recording Artist.

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“The newly formed Al Qahwa Ensemble has already established itself as a champion of harmony and understanding. With conflict in the Middle East and as Syria continues to face unimaginable loss and destruction, the Al Qahwa Ensemble breathes life into the artistic traditions from these regions and gives audiences a new appreciation for them.”

Dorian Cox
Canadian Opera Company – Program Manager | Free Concert Series.