Onstage company
Documented collaborators
The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra (CIO) is a dynamic ensemble co-directed by Fareed Haque, a renowned guitarist, and Wanees Zarour, a gifted composer and multi-instrumentalist. Originally formed in 1999 and active through 2004, CIO was revived in 2020 for the Chicago World Music Festival and has since established itself as one of Chicago's premier international and world music acts. The group brings together diverse influences—from traditional Middle Eastern sounds to contemporary jazz, Western folk, and global rhythms—creating immersive performances that resonate with audiences across the city and beyond.