Damast Duo

In this  duo a very unique approach is brought to a wide repertoire of folk, Arabic, Balkan, Turkish and own compositions. Arabic and Western European tradition are melded, with a lot of space for improvisation. Damast Duo transcends borders with respect for tradition, and especially with a great love for music.


Jonas Malfliet is a Belgian musician and composer who plays a wide range of musical styles on piano, accordion and drums. Since leaving his law practice behind, he has toured Europe, China, Congo, and South-Africa with several world music orchestras such as Les Busiciens, Olla Vogala, and Transpiradansa. He has also been involved in various theatre productions as a multi-instrumentalist and actor.
Jonas has most recently been a co-founder of Eenzaam Ensemble with Finnish singer Vilma Talvitie, as well as Damast Duo with Syrian violinist Shalan Alhamwy. Both projects are due to record new albums in 2018.
He is also teaching world music (Muziekpublique, Ethno, AKDT) and Soundpainting (Jeugd en Muziek).
In 2012 he received the Waasmunster cultural prize for his musical activities.


Shalan Alhamwy is a Syrian violinist and composer.
Trained as a classical musician, with his background of Arabic music, Shalan masters both genres playing and composing. Elements of variety of musical styles are unmistakably recognized in his compositions. Shalan also wrote and arranged music for a plenty of orchestras, ensembles, singers, films and TV shows.
Plays with GFVP (Gent Folk Violin Project), Olla vogala, and EPO (Expat Philharmonic Orchestra).
Former member of: The Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, The National Orchestra of Arabic Music and Damascus Chamber Orchestra.
Former instructor of violin and chamber music in the music college, Albaath University, Homs, and in Solhi Alwadi music school, Damascus.