Ashtabiez

Ashtabiez is a maqam jazz band founded in 2022 by Syrian-Belgian trumpeter and composer Yamen Martini. With compositions entirely written by Martini, the band combines the rich microtonal sounds of maqam with the freedom and dynamics of jazz. While the music draws from the traditions of the SWANA region (Southwest Asia and North Africa), it is far from traditional. Ashtabiez offers a contemporary and personal interpretation, enriched by the diverse backgrounds of its members.

In 2024, Ashtabiez released their debut album Latitude, recorded at De Grote Post and O.666 in Ostend. The album was highly praised and featured by several prominent platforms, including Proglas.cz, BRF Jazztime, RTBF (Les sorties jazz 2024 en Belgique), and Hudba sveta_FM. The band creates a unique sound that reflects Martini’s musical journey and encounters across Europe and the SWANA region, bringing an innovative voice to the jazz world.