Jawa Manla

Jawa Manla is a Syrian oud player from Damascus, known for her emotionally expressive and technically refined performances. Her musical journey began in childhood, inspired by her father’s daily oud playing, which became a profound source of comfort and a means of self-expression. She describes the oud as a “gateway to boundless freedom,” a guiding philosophy in her artistic development. She studied with several master oud players, including Iraqi virtuoso Naseer Shamma, Turkish maestro Necati Çelik, and others across the Middle East and Europe. Manla is a graduate of Codarts – University of the Arts in Rotterdam, where she deepened her knowledge of Arabic and global music traditions and honed her distinct musical voice. Her performances span collaborations with ensembles such as the Netherlands Blazers Ensemble, Caravan, Qasyoun, and Fuse, and she has appeared at major international festivals including Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Grachtenfestival, and November Music. She also participated in the Medinea Sessions under the artistic direction of Fabrizio Cassol, an experience that emphasized intercultural collaboration and improvisation across the Mediterranean region. In 2023, Manla released her debut album, Distant Roots, to critical acclaim. It was named the 4th best album of the year by Dutch newspaper Het Parool, affirming her as a bold and resonant new voice in contemporary world music