Press
Publicity. Reviews. Production Assets (Bio/Photos)
Feature Articles, Interviews, Blog Posts
Kedmah is intentional Mizrahi music for our times
“My hope is that this leads people to have some curiosity," says Battat. "I think by coming in person and being able to present this music in an authentic form, I'm hoping that we can help to build more cultural literacy in our communities and more appreciation of the diversity within our Jewish community.”
May 19, 2024
Iraqi-Jewish Musician Yoni Battat Explores ‘Fragments’ of Identity
“…in Ashkenormative Jewish American culture, with English as his mother tongue and never having stepped foot in Iraq to this day, Yoni lacks the kinds of heirlooms and ancestral knowledge that American immigrant families often have. So Yoni decided to make his own.”
Hey Alma - Feature and Interview
September 2, 2022
From the Fragments of Translation
In this episode, we speak with Yoni Battat about music, identity, and creativity. Yoni discusses what it means to explore the fragments of memory and identity through art.
Joy and Conversation - Podcast
October 26, 2022
The Best Music from Around the World - Fragments
“Sonically, this album is rooted in the soundworld of the Middle East; in addition to Battat's contributions, we have ney (flute), qanun (zither), darbuka (goblet drum) etc. And all with stunning execution of microtonal maqam-based melodies, not least in Battat's vocals.”
December 1, 2022
Lowell Folk Fest performer Yoni Avi Battat live in the studio
We head to Lowell by way of their 37th annual Folk Festival. One of the performers – multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer Yoni Battat joins us ahead of this weekend’s three-day event.
WERS - The Culture Show with Jared Bowen
July 25, 2024
The Arab Jewish Music of My Ancestors
“Battat is part of a younger generation of Mizrahi Jews in both the United States and Israel who openly identify as Arab Jews. "There's nothing that makes my ancestors not Arab," he said. "Yes, Judaism was their religion, but culturally, their identity is Arab."
The Jewish Experience - Feature
February 4, 2022
This New Album (Simu Lev) Celebrates Mizrahi Jewish Music
“In Modern Hebrew, “Simu Lev” translates to “pay attention,” and this album is a passionate call to pay attention and celebrate the depth and beauty of Mizrahi Jewish music…. [The 14 tracks make] space for expressive and virtuosic moments of solo singing interspersed with the compelling exuberance of communal song.”
April 9, 2024
Reclaiming Identity
“The ‘Reclaiming Identity’ podcast brings into focus and into discussion topics of identity within the world of Jewish cultural diversity.”
Institute of Jewish Experience - Podcast
February 16, 2023
Fragments by Yoni Avi Battat
“The album is both performed and produced with integrity and professionalism. The liner notes help the listener to understand Battat’s motivation as well as his process. Fragments is an education for the ear and the soul.”
Jewish Post and Opinion - Review
September 21, 2022
Piecing together the fragments of our Arab-Jewish identity
“Fragments, a new album by Yoni Battat, is a deeply personal exploration of fragmented memory, lost languages, and distant ancestry. It is his first release in the style of Arabic maqam, which utilizes notes that fall between the notes of Western music, known as microtonality.”
+972 Magazine - Feature and Interview
November 17, 2022
Album Reviews
Radio, Podcasts and Zoominars
Boston-based musician Yoni Battat on exploring his Jewish and Iraqi heritage
Boston-based musician Yoni Battat will be performing at [the 2024] Lowell Folk Festival, running from July 26 to 28. Radio Boston speaks with the oud and violin player about how his music reflects his Iraqi and Jewish roots.
WBUR - Radio Boston with Tiziana Dearing
July 18, 2024
A Musical Journey in Search of Iraqi-Jewish Roots
“Battat discusses his journey into Jewish Arabic poetry, researching translations and tracking down rare editions of Arabic books so he could weave his Arab-Jewish ancestry into his music.”
Moment Magazine - Video Zoominar
December 20, 2022
New Album Fragments Highlights Boston Voices
“While this was a deeply personal project, I ultimately created Fragments to bring people together through beauty and meaning. As you experience this music, I invite you to approach memory in a new way—not through exact facts, dates, and photos, but through your senses and your imagination.”
October 12, 2022
