Known for their catchy originals and accessible, dance-driven style, Azadoota fuses traditional Assyrian dabke with Arabic, Latin, Flamenco and Pop.

Charismatic front man Robin Zirwanda sings mostly in his native Assyrian language, with some songs also in Arabic. Backed by pumping grooves and flamboyant percussion, intricate oud improvisations weave in and out, caressing the melody lines with the fluency of a true maestro. Flamenco Guitar, the modern descendent of the oud, adds vibrant rhythms and melodies, in a powerful synthesis of ancient and contemporary.


Azadoota is unique as the only Assyrian group who perform in venues outside the Assyrian community. Having spent a great part of his career singing to an audience who don’t understand the lyrics, Robin’s vocal delivery is passionate and genuine, conveying meaning and emotion through gesture, intonation, and cheeky interactions with his backing vocalist (who is also his cousin).

A native of Iraq, where the Assyrians can trace their ancestors back nearly 7000 years, Robin was among the first Assyrians to migrate to Australia.

Building a new life, he settled with his family in the remote Arnhem Land community of Nhulunbuy, where there were plenty of jobs in the mine and associated facilities. There he assimilated quickly into the local culture, forming a close bond with the indigenous community and gaining an invaluable insight into another ancient culture.

Eventually moving to Sydney, Robin worked as a percussionist until the rising profile of World Music inspired him to start writing his own songs. Although he wrote in Assyrian, his style was heavily influenced by the music he’d been performing as a percussionist, and this became the foundation for Azadoota.

By contrast, oud master Ahmed Al-Karawi arrived in Australia in 2009, with a background purely in classical Arabic music. With a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Baghdad, Ahmed worked as a professional musician in Iraq, touring internationally with Arabic music stars before rising to fame himself as a soloist in a series of televised concerts.

Defying decades of conflict between Assyrians and Arabs in Iraq, Robin and Ahmed have an uncanny musical connection, evident in the way that Ahmed’s oud effortlessly anticipates and responds to Robin’s vocals.

Complementing the oud is Conservatorium-trained hot-shot Chris Duff on Flamenco Guitar. Chris leads a group of outstanding young musicians to complete Azadoota’s lineup, with Alvin Ash on bass, Ben Kidson on drums, Craig Morrison on percussion and Paul Marbo on backing vocals.

Azadoota’s first commercial album, “Planetarian”, was released in 2008, and was selected as a Top Ten finalist in the inaugural World of Music Awards. Then in 2010, Azadoota was profiled in Seth Jordan’s book “World Music: Global Sounds in Australia”, published by UNSW Press. The book explores the story of Australian-based performers and other individuals who have significantly contributed to the development of Australia’s world music scene.

Now at the end of 2011, Azadoota is realeasing a new album titled "Beyond Bridges". Combining ancient grooves with a modern edge, this well‐crafted new offering tells stories of persecution and pride, forbidden love, regret, but above all hope and renewal. The band will be touring to promote the album over the coming Summer.