Mahmod Salah Moneka was born in Basra, Iraq of Kenyan descent. He is a singer, bassist, percussionist and songwriter. Raised in Baghdad in an Afro-Iraqi Sufi family of artists he preserves the spiritual genealogy and African heritage in his music. Artistically influenced by these soulful and spiritual beliefs and practices he translates old secret Sawhili prayers into Arabic, English and Jazz music. In 2015 he founded Moneka Group with his Brother Mohammad Moneka and Boualem Dahmani.
Mohammad Salah Moneka was born in Basra, Iraq of Kenyan descent. He is a singer, rapper and percussionist specialized in Afro-Middle Eastern music and Hiphop. Mohammed plays and builds the original African Tanbura harp. By that he reflects and materializes the african spirit he grew up with. Influenced by the multidisciplinary artistic approaches in his family and the significance of spiritual practices Mohammad Moneka performs in order to share his afro-arabic heritage with his environment.
Boualem Dahmani is a guitarist and composer born and raised in Algiers, Algeria. He dedicated his life to music from an early age. He virtuously manages to encompass and melt popular genres, with traditional Arabic, Amazigh and Tuareg music. The sounds and melodies of his compositions are simultaneously characterized by playful ease and earthy charm. Boualem Dahmani studied Jazz in Vienna.
Paolo Correa was born and raised in Asuncion, Paraguay. He started playing and composing music at an early age, taking piano and theory lessons later on. At the age of sixteen he started to perform with local bands in a wide array of styles. In Vienna he was awarded a full scholarship to study jazz piano under the renowned performer Danny Grissett.
Anton Prettler was born in Styria, Austria. He is a passionate saxophonist and composer inspired by a wide spectrum of musical styles. Through his training and work in the classical, Jazz, Pop sectors, his music reflects not only the variety of timbes but a high appreciation for his instrument. He studied classical saxophone at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Since 2014 he has been studying jazz saxophone in Vienna at the University of Music and Performing Arts.
Sheirif Abdalla was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He started drumming at the age of 10 years and took the path as a professional musician from an early age. He studied Jazz and Popular Music in Vienna. Influenced by the varieties of rhythms existing in his country of birth, Sharif himself mesmerizes with his personal style inspired by Middle-Eastern, sub-Saharan African and Latin music.
David G. is an Austrian baritone saxophonist and singer born in Styria. He started his musical journey at an early age. His enthusiasm for improvisation, playing in big bands and ensembles made him gain experience over the years. From Pop, Jazz, Brassband, Big Band, Funk, Dancehall, to saxophone ensemble, etc. He studied saxophone in Vienna at the University of Music and Performing Arts.
Bardia Khashayari comes from a music-loving family, has been listening to rock music since he was 5 and started to make music himself alongside his cousins (one of his cousins, Hossein Rastegar, was a popular drummer in the Austropop scene). At their side he played numerous rock and funk concerts and also his first studio productions. With the well-known Afghan singer Dawood Sarkhosh, he recorded 3 CDs and played 3 world tours.