Masaa, a German-based band specializing in world jazz with Arabic lyrics, was formed in 2012 when Markus Stockhausen introduced singer Rabih Lahoud to a trio featuring Dresden trumpeter Marcus Rust. Their breakthrough came with a performance at the Jazzfest Berlin in November 2012, which was broadcast by HR2. Masaa's discography includes Freedom-Dance (2013), Afkar (2014), and Outspoken (2017). In 2019, Reentko Dirks replaced Clemens Pötzsch on double-neck guitar, a change praised by critics. Notable collaborations include working with Israeli singer Yael Deckelbaum in 2015 and the Jenaer Philharmonie under Bernd Ruf for East West Symphony: Hiwar (2021). Masaa received the Bremer Jazzpreis in September 2012 and the Creole-Festival audience award in 2013. In 2021, they won the German Jazz Award for Irade in the Album Vocal of the Year category, with Rabih Lahoud receiving the WDR Jazz Award in the Musical Cultures category.
