Kazdoura

Kazdoura is a Toronto-based group active since 2020. It consists of Syrian singer Leen Hamo and Lebanese multi-instrumentalist John Abou Chacra.

Style and background

The group focuses on Arabic fusion with a modern approach, combining Levantine Arabic music and old Arabic classics with jazz, funk, electro-pop and disco. Its sound also draws on Arabic maqams, groove-based rhythms, psychedelia and jazz saxophone, creating a blend of Eastern and Western styles.

Formation and debut album

Kazdoura forms after Hamo and Abou Chacra meet at a Toronto fundraiser following the Beirut explosion in 2020. The project grows out of shared cultural connection and resilience, with its debut album Ghoyoum reflecting their heritage and personal journeys. The album also serves as a form of sonic storytelling shaped by Arab artists’ lived experiences.