Maluf: Sounds from the Arab Mediterranean - A Concert and Book Presentation at the University of Naples 'L'Orientale'

On Tuesday, March 6th, at 5 PM at the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' in Corigliano Palace, Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, during the presentation of the volume 'Maluf, Sounds from the Arab Mediterranean' (Edizioni Museo Marionette A. Pasqualino) by Salvatore Morra, a Neapolitan musicologist and guitarist who describes the varied world of mālūf music, one of the most complex urban genres of North Africa, there will be a concert titled 'Maluf. Sounds from the Arab Mediterranean.' The duo 'Maluf System,' composed of the book's author, Salvatore Morra, (Eastern oud, Tunisian oud, guitar) and Marzouk Mejri (voice, ney, darbuka, bendir), will perform, and their photo is attached along with the volume's cover. 'Maluf System' recreates a Tunisian sound world that ranges from the traditional ensemble (jawk) to the Bey of Tunis's Ottoman band, to Mediterranean influences. Whether it's the songs of the suites (nuba), a particular melody, rhythm, or musical instrument, these idioms of Arab-Tunisian identity allow migrants to connect with others, generating a certain type of shared experience. The concert program includes: Raqs, Suite Hassine, Suite Mazmoum, Suite Asba’in, Naoura Tubu’a, Jamal, Sultani, Mudir rah, Mariage, Samra ya Samra. Marzouk Mejri was born in Tebourba, Tunisia, and has lived in Italy, in Naples, for thirty years. A multi-instrumentalist singer (darbuka, bendir, tar, ney, zokra), he has collaborated with numerous Neapolitan musicians such as Daniele Sepe, James Senese, Peppe Barra, Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare, 99 Posse, Eduardo De Crescenzo, Peppino Di Capri, Enzo Avitabile. In 2008, he founded the 'Marzouk-Ensemble' with which he made his solo debut with the album 'Genina.' In 2017, RAI produced a docufilm about his musical art, titled 'Life of Marzouk.' Salvatore Morra was born in Naples. A guitarist and ethnomusicologist, he has recorded 'L’alba' for Adoro Records, 'Luys Milan' for Draft Records and Liburia Records. Graduated in Arabic-Islamic studies with a PhD (2018) from the University of London, Royal Holloway, he explores the music of the Arab-Islamic world and its intersections with contemporary sound worlds. He studied the oud in Tunisia with Kamel Gharbi and Selmi Mongi. Together with Marzouk Mejri, he forms the Maluf System duo. Present at the volume presentation, along with the author, will be Sergio Bonanzinga (University of Palermo), Mahmoud Guettat (Higher Institute of Music of Tunis; Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts Beit al-Hikma of Carthage), Francesca Bellino (University L'Orientale), Tiziana Pangrazi (University L'Orientale).