HOPE album launch - poetry of Mohammad Ali Maleki set to the music of Keyna Wilkins

Please join us at this special album launch of the poetry of Mohammad Ali Maleki set to the piano and flute compositions of Keyna Wilkins on SATURDAY 27th APRIL. Doors open 7.30pm, Concert 8-9pm at Latvian Hall (10 Bank Lane, Woolloongabba, Brisbane), with beautiful original artwork for the online album by Jacinta van Gerwen. 

Mohammad Ali Maleki is an award-winning Iranian refugee poet based in Brisbane. He was the victim of Australia's brutal refugee detention policies and was imprisoned for 7 years on Manus Island, and 2 years in a Brisbane detention centre, without charge or trial for arriving by boat and seeking protection. Mohammad's work is featured in Verity La, Rochford Street Review, Red Room Company, Other Terrain Journal, Blue Pepper, Southerly Journal. Michelle Seminara has been a pivotal force in supporting Mohammad by editting and publishing through Verity La numerous times since 2016 when he was held on Manus Island. His work has been included in the "Dear Prime Minister" project at The Denmark Festival of Voice. In 2023 his poem "Brother" won the Ballina Region for Refugees Poetry Prize.  More info: www.mohammadalimaleki.com

Keyna Wilkins is a pioneering Australian/British composer-musician. She was one of three finalists for the Australian Art Music Awards for Individual Excellence in 2021 and 2018 (APRA/AMCOS). Her music has been described by The Sydney Morning Herald as "arresting, genre-blurring...disquieting music with massive breadth and high drama", by Limelight Magazine as "Debussy, Miles Davis and flamenco in equal parts...an irresistible mix" and Jazz in Europe as "creating soundtracks for the biggest issues in our time". She has written over 60 art music works that are performed internationally and published by Wirripang, has been featured on ABC, and writes music for film and theatre. Having released 10 albums of original music, she performs regularly as an innovative soloist and improviser and leader of cutting edge ensembles around the world and has been described by Jazz Journal UK as "a powerhouse player". More info: www.keynawilkins.com