Murad was a multi-instrumentalist employed by the Iraqi Broadcasting Ensemble in Baghdad as oud and nay player as well as composer, until he moved to Israel in the beginning of the 1950s. After immigration to Israel he worked as a singer, recorded Iraqi maqamat, pastat, and “mainstream” style songs for the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), performed in private haflat (parties), and worked in other occupations out of necessity. Wrote a manuscript on Iraqi music theory but was discouraged by lack of recognition for his work. Was critical of the IBA and other institutions.
Sound recordings at National Library of Israel (catalogue in Hebrew):
The National Library of Israel Warkov collection for several Iraqi maqamat performances by Yaqub al-‘Amari.
Al-‘Amari’s five nay taqasim in the Iraqi style: Maqams husseini, owj, rast, mukhalif, panjegah. It begins at minute 45:50, recorded in 1969. [This recording begins with Warkov’s interview of Ezra Aharon in 1981].
Al-‘Amari sings maqam rast followed by another maqam. Recorded by IBA, 1961.
Al-‘Amari sings maqam rast at minute 41:30, then maqam siga at minute 54:47, both recorded by IBA in 1970.
Articles:
Jewish Professional Musicians in Iraq and Israel, Revisited by Esther Warkov.
Written and sources by Esther Warkov.
