ABOUT:
Zahra Alzubaidi زهراء الزبيدي is a New York based singer who performs a variety of Arabic styles, with a focus on Iraqi music. She has performed as a featured artist in multiple music venues throughout the US, and as a guest/chorus with ensembles such as Safaafir, Takht El Nagham, and The Brooklyn Nomads, among others.
Born in Maysan ( Southern Iraq) to a big family, Zahra’s earliest influences are her family’s Chaabi wedding music, funeral recitations, and Hossat (popular songs to rile up crowds). It was through her older siblings, as well as Iraqi radio and television, that Zahra developed her appreciation for Classical Arabic artists such as Mohammad Abdul Wahab and the great Umm Kulthum. Later, when she emigrated to Amman in the mid-90’s, she was introduced to the Levantine music of Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
Zahra moved to NYC to continue her studies in Performing Arts. Graduated from Stella Adler Conservatory and worked in several films and plays as an actor and an Arabic dialects coach around the US. She splits her time between performing/studying music, and translating for media and publications.
Zahra is a recipient of the NYSCA Folk & Traditional Arts Apprenticeship 2024 , studying Iraqi Maqam under the mentorship of renowned Iraqi Maqam master Hamid Al-Saadi. She celebrates the Iraqi musical heritage by studying and preserving the tradition as well as performing and collaborating with other musicians from around the world.
Musical Performances
2019
Pomegranate Gallery (NYC)
With Iraqi Maqam reciter Hamid Al-Saadi
Metropolitan Museum ( NYC)
Safaafir & Iraqi Maqam reciter Hamid Al-Saadi
Roulette Intermedium ( NYC)
Brooklyn Maqam 1st Anniversary
Secret Room ( NYC)
W/ Brooklyn Nomads
Lincoln Center Atrium 360 ( NYC)
Hamid Al-Saadi with Safaafir: The Maqam of Iraq
Roulette Intermedium ( NYC)
Hamid Al-Saadi with Safaafir: Iraqi Maqam
Lincoln Center Atrium 360 ( NYC)
Safaafir & Iraqi Maqam reciter Hamid Al-Saadi
2020
Sisters Brooklyn: Zahra Alzubaidi ( NYC)
Presented Brooklyn Maqam
Rebuild Beirut Benefit ( NYC )
ViewNY Online event
MoMa PS 1 ( NYC)
With Safaafir & Iraqi Maqam reciter Hamid Al-Saadi
2021
Wild Birds BK: Zahra Alzubaidi ( NYC)
Presented by Brooklyn Maqam
Takht Al-nagham at North beach Bandshell ( Miami )
Presented by Rhythm Foundation
Women’s Voice and the Iraqi Maqam at Jalopy ( NYC)
With Safaafir & Iraqi Maqam reciter Hamid Al-Saadi
2022
Takht Al-Nagham at Roulette Intermedium ( NYC)
With Singer Lubana Quntar
Zahra Alzubaidi & friends At Barbés ( NYC)
Presented by Brooklyn Maqam
Zahra Alzubaidi at Joe's Pub ( NYC)
Habibi Festival
Zahra & Friends at The Jalopy ( NYC )
7th Annual Brooklyn International Folk Festival
Jalsat Tarab at Jalopy ( NYC)
Music from Iraq and the Gulf
2023
Zahra & Friends at The Jalopy ( NYC )
8th Annual Brooklyn International Folk Festival
Takht Al-nagham at CITY LORE( NYC)
Earthquake fundraiser
Takht Al-nagham at Carnegie Hall ( NYC)
With singer Lubana Quntar
Ameer Armaly & friends at Barbes (NYC)
Zahra Alzubaidi & friends At Sultan Room ( NYC)
Presented by Brooklyn Maqam
27th Annual Arabic Music Retreat Concert ( MA)
Led by singer Abeer Nehme
Ameer Armaly & friends at Jalopy (NYC)
Amir ElSaffar in E Half Flat - Raga Festival ( NYC )
Pioneer Works
Benefit Concert For Palestine (NYC)
Presented by Sika Bika
Benefit Concert For Palestine At Sultan Room (NYC)
Ft. Orchestra Farha
2024
Amir ElSaffar Residency at THE STONE ( NYC)
Music for Free Palestine
Hanzala :Still 10 years old since 1948 at Roulette Intermedium (NYC)
Presented by The Brooklyn Nomads
Hanzala : A child of Palestine at Roulette Intermedium (NYC)
Presented by The Brooklyn Nomads
Orchestra Farha At Sisters (NYC)
Presented by Brooklyn Maqam