Fragments: Yoni Avi Battat in Concert

Part of The Portland Jewish Music Festival 2026!

Yoni Avi Battat amplifies and transforms the echoes of his Iraqi-Jewish ancestry to broaden perspectives, touch hearts, and build community.

CONCERT DESCRIPTION:

Fragments is a collection of original and traditional music that invites listeners into the complexity of Yoni Avi Battat’s fragmented Iraqi-Jewish identity. Inspired by traditional Arab musical forms, the project combines Hebrew, Arabic, English, and Yiddish lyrics to express the fragmenting effects of migration, lost languages, colonialism, assimilation, and erasure. Described as "an education for the ear and the soul," this concert aims to complicate and nuance your understanding of Arab and Jewish history, culture, and identity. In doing so, Fragments offers visibility and recognition for the many unseen Middle Eastern Jews in America, while making room for listeners of all backgrounds to find resonance and healing in its message.

This intimate evening of story-telling and music will feature Battat on oud and vocals, and artistic supertitles that translate the lyrics in real time.

All Ages, $22/Adv, $25/Door

Kids Ages 6-12 $11 (kids under 6 free).

About Yoni Avi Battat

Yoni Avi Battat amplifies and transforms the echoes of his Iraqi-Jewish ancestry to broaden perspectives, touch hearts, and build community. A dynamic singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, story-teller, and prayer leader, Yoni performs and records across North America preserving, transmitting, and innovating traditional and original melodies rooted in Arab musical forms. Yoni leads his own musical projects while maintaining an active schedule as a sought-after musical and interdisciplinary collaborator. Yoni toured nationally as an actor and violinist with the Tony Award-winning musical, “The Band’s Visit," including a week of performances at Portland's Keller Auditorium in January of 2022. Based in Boston, Yoni works locally and nationally to uplift Mizrahi identity and bring Arab music into the soundscape of our American Jewish lives.

“…an education for the ear and the soul.”

Jewish Post & Opinion

“…seductive rhythms, sumptuous strings, and dazzling virtuosity.”

World Music Central