Ilham al-Madfai

Ilham Al Madfai was born and raised in the early forties in Baghdad, Iraq.  His musical talent began developing at the age of twelve. He was and remains until today a guitarist at heart. He formally started his musical career when he formed his first band “Twisters” in 1961, compromising of electric guitar, bass guitar and drums. It was the first band in Iraq and probably the Arab world to use modern rock instruments in playing Arabic music. He pioneered Arabic-World music crossover. Ilham modernized the traditional Iraqi song giving it a new wider appeal and a new freshness placing it in the modern era.

The band created a new wave in Arabic music but Ilham was heavily criticised by the public and media for being an eccentric and for destroying long maintained musical traditions. Further more, his family, who enjoyed a high profile at the time, some of them holding high governmental positions, were not only strongly against his musical style, but also against his involvement in music in general. They were very concerned about their son Ilham developing a socially inappropriate career.

A few years later, Ilham left for England to study Architecture. The young student played with a group and performed at Bayt Al Baghdadi in London, probably better known as Café Baghdad. Ilham attracted a special distinct audience including Paul McCartney, Donovan and Georgie Fame along with many Jazz musicians. Ilham was probably the first Iraqi artist to cross the borders and reach out to a cosmopolitan audience.

When Ilham returned to Baghdad in 1967 he formed his well known band:“13 ½”. This time Ilham introduced Spanish guitar rhythms from Andalucia to the Iraqi folklore song, appealing to a new, younger audience. He reached the peak of his popularity in Iraq throughout the 70’s, the time of the oil boom, in which Iraq enjoyed international relations.

In 1979 when political problems in Iraq began, like many other Iraqis, Ilham left behind his homeland, his wealth, his popularity, and most unfortunate of all – his music. He travelled to different countries trying to pursue different careers, occasionally having music concerts.

When the Gulf war started in 1991, Ilham returned to Baghdad, and decided to restart his musical career forming a band he called “Ferqet Ilham” (Ilham’s band). They played primarily at Khan Marjan, a popular venue in Baghdad. Ilham, like most of his fellow Iraqis, had to struggle to re-establish his life during the 90’s, he earned his living from the concert circuit around the world, from North America to Europe to South Korea, mainly re-uniting with his faithful Iraqi audience from over three decades - sharing his longing and nostalgia for the homeland.

Ilham has worked with many western and oriental musical talents. He has played with talents as diverse as Donovan, Art Blakey, Johnny “Ace” Harris, Munir Bachir, Tommy Aros, Nazem El Ghazaley, Glen Fisher, Chico, Sabah, Hollis Gentry, Aboud Abdel Al, and collaborated lyrically with the likes of Nazar Qabbani, Bedr Shakir El Sayyab, Ilyya Abu Maadhi, Abdul Qassim Al Shabi, and Abdel Wahab El Bayati.

Throughout this period Ilham continued to experiment in fusing different musical styles, mainly Oriental, Latin, and Jazz. He also re-recorded his most popular songs with a new feel and spirit - in different places, with different people, and at different times. These songs were compiled and released by EMI Music Arabia in 1999 on the Virgin label, as the self-titled album “Ilham Al Madfai” (aka “The Red Album”), which became one of the fastest selling albums in the Middle East, surpassing the platinum status in sales, and becoming the biggest Arabic hit of the year 2000.

2001 saw the release of Ilham’s album ”Live at the Hard Rock Café” (Beirut). This was a compilation of live recordings of the hits from his self-titled album as well as several non-released live favourites.

Ilham’s latest album “Baghdad” was released in June 2003, inspired by the current situation, it pays homage to Ilham’s beloved city. The album was recorded over two years in London and in the Middle East and features reputable Arab and Western musicians, with musical influences, instrumentations and fusions ranging from Jazz and Latin to Classical Arabic and Iraqi. The album is arranged and produced by Ilham, and following on his tradition of doing renditions of classics, the album includes some very loved nostalgic tunes and some less known hidden gems from the Iraqi folklore. It also includes original tracks including collaborations with the renowned poets : Kareem Al Iraqi, Kathem Al Saidi, Muthafar Al Nawab & the legendary Nizar Qabbani.

There is an element of permanence and change in Ilham’s songs. There is a story behind every song. Ilham has played a significant role in the development of his country’s rich musical heritage through his unique new arrangements of classic Iraqi folklore songs. He has conserved them for present and future generations

His songs will continue to live among the many Iraqis at home and all over the world. Ilham is a hero for them - young and old are gathering in his concerts – singing, dancing, crying with emotion. As a spokesman for the Mesopotamia Club in California stated “Though Ilham’s home remains Baghdad, his real home is in the hearts of his fans in every corner of this planet.”

And now, thanks to Ilham, these Iraqi treasures are being discovered by music lovers worldwide. The time is indeed ripe to discover the hidden gems of his songs. Ilham recently performed in London (Ronnie Scott’s and Queen Elizabeth Hall) and has been discovered by the British media and audience (see above).

He is now about to embark on a world tour…

(from ilhamalmadfai.com)

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