Press
Interviews. Features. Reviews.
Iraqi Jewish Musician Yoni Avi Battat Explores the ‘Fragments’ of His 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
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
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
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