About us

Life-affirming, dramatic and emotional are some of the words that have earned Sirocco a reputation as one of the most exciting groups on the Swedish world music scene today.

Sirocco’s music stems from the broad range of Jewish music traditions, with songs in Yiddisch, Ladino, Hebrew and Arabic. Sirocco give a new spark to these ancient songs, flavoring them with their own unique sound inspired by South American folk music, Nordic folk music and flamenco.

“We want to create links between past and present, between different places and different cultures. Many of the songs we play are written in diaspora, and are a result of the meeting with a new land and a new culture. Some songs are written over a thousand years ago in Andalusia, then called Al Andalus, in the Arabic golden age, when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived side by side for hundreds of years. Other songs are written in Yiddish in the United States around the turn of the last century, where millions of Jews were forced to flee from pogroms in Russia and Ukraine, and the songs are often about the difficulties of coping in a new country. We also play traditional songs in Ladino – the language that the Sephardic Jews brought from Andalusia to Greece and Turkey. The story we want to tell through our music is in many ways a reflection of our time and the migrations that take place today.”

Sirocco was selected along with five other acts to represent Sweden at Nordic Showcase at the Folk and World Music Gala in Västerås 2016.
Their debut album ”Amirim” was produced in cooperation with Israeli musician and Grammy nominee Yair Dalal and was released in november 2014.

“Sirocco treat the audience to a breathtaking experience.”

Rasmus Klockljung, Lira Music Magazine.

VOICE

Sofia began singing songs in Yiddish at an early age in her uncles klezmer orchestra. After being introduced to Arabic music she fell deeply in love with the style and the link between Jewish and Arabic music. She studied classical Arabic singing at the Royal Academy of music for oud master Mousa Elias. Sofia also sings in Balkan brassband Östblocket among several other constellations and is also an established stage actor in Sweden. In 2017 Sofia was awarded the Folk Music Prize from the Royal Academy of Music in Sweden.

GUITAR AND OUD

Patrik is educated at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. He has also studied Flamenco guitar in Seville and Madrid. In recent years Patrik has established himself as one of the top flamenco guitarists in Scandinavia. He has performed with artists such as Rogelio de Badajoz, Lior Elmaleh, Yair Dalal, Three Style Fusion and Erik Steen.

CELLO

Cellist, singer and actress. Hanna is a graduate of the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, and studied with Elmer Lavotha and Leo Svensson among others. Following graduation from the Royal College of Music, she has also studied with Chrichan Larson. In 2015 Hanna founded the theatre group Teater MO.

Hanna has recorded several albums with the group 75 öre (75 pennies), and has also performed as a studio musician on several albums. She has composed music for, and performed in, several productions with Teater MO, as well as arranging festivals. She has also composed for film and tv as well as for Dramaten.

Hanna is a member of the classical string ensemble Lotuskvartetten.

PERCUSSIONS

Musician, percussionist and photographer. Since 1996, he has performed on and recorded over 40 albums. Fredrik has toured in over 50 countries and has worked with many well-known ensembles and artists from around the globe. Collaborations include: Sirocco, Bazar Blå, Väsen, Karima Nayt, Tarraband, Ancient Agents, Amine & Hamza, Emilia Amper, Alfredo Lagos, Mich Gerber, Fathy Salama, Sofia Karlsson, Blau, Andreas Vollenweider, Radio Tarifa and Jienat. He also performed with the dance companies Flamencos en Route and ÖffÖff.