Yacoub Nona

Jacob Nona Thomas, better known as Yacoub Nona began singing at small Assyrian gatherings and weddings at a young age in Kirkuk, Iraq. Blessed with a powerful voice, Yacoub was inspired by the example of his father Nona who had been a popular singer in Assyrian and Kurdish.

Yacoub was born to Mr. Nona Tooma and Shamama Lazar of Mar Bishu in the capital city of Iraq, Baghdad in 1934. In the mid 1940's he moved to Kirkuk and while there he worked for IPC, the Iraqi Petroleum Company, in 1958 he returned to live in Baghdad again.

Yacoub Nona was among the first Assyrian singers to blend Eastern melodies with Western music to achieve a unique sound. His first and second records were both released in 1958, composed by William Nichola Dinkha. These featured the popular songs "Weela Ishta,Weela Shawa, and "Ain Khabooshe Boosh Khilye D'ena Go Karmane ", sold thousands throughout Iraq and reached Assyrian communities living in Iran, Lebanon, Syria, the United States, England and Australia. It was broadcast on Assyrian radio stations all over the Middle East. Yacoub was foremost in his generation.

The words of the songs were not so much poetic as natural (says Jacob), and so people really identified with them and truly understood them. They were popular in the true sense of the word. This is why they were sold all over the world. This was remarkable for an Assyrian vocalist at the time, even now this is something impressive.

Although Yacoub loved singing, his family obligations took priority in his life. He takes pride in being a faithful and loving husband to his wife Clementina, and a responsible father to his five children.

Always the gentleman, Yacoub has expressed a great deal of respect for other Assyrian singers which have followed him. "They are all great Assyrian Singers", Yacoub often says.