Jawad Al Fatlawi began his musical career in the oud industry in 1984 and since 1989 has made more than 3,000 ouds and other musical instruments. He was a professor of music for many years before leaving Iraq. He made all the instruments that he plays including the goldeneye oud — the only instrument of its kind in the world — a fusion between eastern and western cultures.

The oud is a traditional Arabic instrument, first appearing in Mesopotamia- present day Iraq- circa 2350 BC. In the west the instrument is also known as a lute.

When Jawad moved to the United States in 2016, he chose to express the sound of the Oud through a shape familiar to people of the west. Many people he encountered had never heard of or seen an Oud, and were uncertain how to handle the traditional instrument, with its half-rounded back. This inspired him to render the sound of the Oud in the shape of a guitar.

Jawad chose the name Goldeneye after an unusual bird occasionally seen in his new home state of Maine. Migration and freedom of movement represent the spirit of this instrument. In the winter migrating birds can be found in the south, and in the summer the north. Like the Goldeneye, his instrument is a fluid transition between Eastern and Western luthier traditions.

Thus, in this instrument, the oud has changed its shape, but preserved its clear and eternal sound. Jawad explains that, “Music does not know from whence it comes, or to where it goes. It is expressed by the feeling of the player when speaking through the music-the surest way to reach the hearts of listeners.”

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Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 7:00 PM

Doors open at 6:30 PM; 75-minutes with an intermission

Tickets available for $15 in advance, $18 at the door, and $22 for preferred seating