Malachy O’Neill is a well-known double bassist on the Oxfordshire music scene. 

As well as Oxford Maqam, he plays bass with Americana big band the Knights of Mentis and Arabic jazz fusion ensemble Brickwork Lizards. 

Before his diary got so packed with gigs, Malachy used to write on world music for the BBC, produce and present radio shows for Resonance FM, and was director of Oxfordshire’s Livestock Festival. 

He joined Oxford Maqam in 2014, making his debut at the BBC Radio Theatre, and has since accompanied the band on tours of Turkey, Egypt, Kuwait and Australia.