Plaza Series: Jazz Around the World
Baghdad to Yellowknife – Jazz Around the World: Roya Camille and Ahmed Moneka
- Family-friendly: all ages welcome!
- Bring your own chair, seat or blanket.
- Grab a spot as early as 6:30 p.m.; all shows start at 7 p.m.
- Free to attend and no tickets required.
- Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
Roya Camille
Roya Camille is a Northern Canadian singer-songwriter from Yellowknife, now based in Edmonton. She merges indie-pop, jazz and Middle Eastern influences into a warm, soulful sound, drawing comparisons to Norah Jones, Emily King and Lianne La Havas. Her debut single No More War (2025) introduced her as a powerful, genre-bending new voice. In 2026, she will release four singles leading into her debut album Breath & Being, produced by JUNO nominated Enoch Attey. Blending acoustic guitars, folk-driven rhythms and jazz-infused melodies, Roya invites listeners on a journey under the midnight sun – from the Arctic aurora to prairie skies.
Ahmed Moneka
During his formative years in Iraq, Ahmed Moneka learned traditional songs and drumming. Later, after being accepted into a top performing arts high school, he learned a variety of artistic disciplines that allowed him to refine his identity as an artist at the Academy of Fine Arts at the University of Baghdad. His current music reflects his journey from Baghdad to Toronto. It showcases melody from his homeland of Iraq and mixes it with African groove and rhythm. Jazz and blues undertones bridge his Afro-Arabic background with the fascinating musical diversity of Torontonian performers. He often finds inspiration for songs by researching old stories from Iraq and reflecting on how they represent present moments. Focusing on the past inspires analysis, while the future inspires visions and dreams.