Iraqi trumpeter

Ta’ayyib is still only 25 but he’s been playing trumpet at weddings since he was 15, so he can still remember what some call the good ole days under Saddam Hussein. He says under Saddam he could stay out as late as he wanted. He says the last few years were very difficult and he could hardly work and when he did he would have to finish by dark. By Arab tradition, the groom picks up the bride at her home and there are celebrations all along the way. Ta’ayyib says he’s had weddings to play at each week more recently and he can go wherever he wants, which was not the case even six months ago. The bride is then escorted to the wedding party and this is when she first appears in public. For Ta’ayyib and the band, it’s a job, but one they clearly enjoy.