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ABDELKADER SAADOUN (left) - "The Algerian King of Rock 'n' Rai, artist, singer, DJ, drummer, promoter & producer" - "The Abdelkader Saadoun Rai Band will rock any stage & is guaranteed to blow your mind!" 

 

 

BALADI BLUES ENSEMBLE -  "Combining powerful Arabic percussion, soulful accordion and saxophone improvisations and a charming and enigmatic stage presence – the Baladi Blues Ensemble take Egyptian Baladi to new heights! In the Baladi Blues Ensemble, Guy Schalom unites three of Egypt's most renowned master musicians: saxophonist Ahmed El Saidi, quarter-tone accordionist Sheik Taha and master percussionist Hassan Reevis." 

 

CELLOMAN (right) - "The band performs extensively around the UK (including the Glastonbury & Womad festivals) & overseas.  The sound is a blend of Middle Eastern & African rhythms, eastern & western classically inspired melodies, hypnotic harmonies & driving bass & drums." 

 

EL ANDULUZ - "London's leading exponents of classical Arab-Andulus music.  El Anduluz is lead by oud player Yazid Fentazi, accompanied by darbuka player Karim Dellali & the acrobatic pyrotechnics of violinist Frank Biddulph. The group is regularly joined by bassist extraordinaire Hamid Bouri.  El Anduluz on stage take us on a memorable musical journey from southern Spain via Algeria to the very edges of the Sahara." 

 

 

FANTAZIA (left) - "Fantazia, a multi-cultural band from Algeria & Hackney, play a breathtakingly rootsy blend of gnawa, chaabi & dance which draws on the vibrant rhythms & rich musical tradition of north Africa.  Fantazia's irresistable grooves create a sizzling party atmosphere that soon has any audience on its feet & dancing."  

 

FORTY THIEVES ORKESTRA - "A dastardly infusion of eastern melodies & sultry London beats.  Forty Thieves Orkestra creates a unique sound with influences ranging from klezmer, gypsy & belly dancing music to hip hop, King Tubby-style reggae & the laid back bar grooves of Kruder & Dorfmeister.  Clarinet, violins, accordion, cello, brass, oud & percussion interweave with earthy samples, crisp beats, evocative atmospheric sounds & studio trickery." 

 

GUY SCHALOM (right) -"As solo darabuka player and band leader, Guy Schalom brings the very best Egyptian music to UK, European and North American audiences.  He has appeared with major recording artists as diverse as Natacha Atlas, Mahmoud Fadl, Hijazy Metkal and the Musicians of the Nile as well as renowned dancer Suraya Hilal. His latest CD, 'Baladi Blues 2', features the famous Baladi Blues Ensemble along with special guest Frank London on trumpet. His original Baladi CD, 'Baladi Blues, remains a hit and features legendary accordionist Sheik Taha and Egyptian saxophonist Ahmed Al Saiidi.  CD 'Tabla-Tastic!!' covers 25 of the most well-known Egyptian rhythms for darabuka. Music and dance are closely linked and Guy works regularly with Arabic dancers to convey this connection, combining choreographies and improvisations."

 

 

"Best known for his work with the Klezmer Alliance, the Klezmatics, David Krakauer & Egyptian stars Natacha Atlas, the Musicians of the Nile & Mahmoud Fadl, Guy's new band is the Baladi Blues Ensemble. As a solo darbuka player & band leader, Guy brings the very best of Egyptian music to UK & European audiences.  A percussionist, dancer & independent record producer, Guy is also co-artistic director of Egyptian dance & music company Raqs Wa Musica Al Masraya." 

 

 

HOSSAM RAMZY (left) - "Born in Cairo, Hossam Ramzy was given his first Egyptian tabla at the age of 3.  He mastered his craft studying under leading Cairo music teachers, & later with Bedouin tribes in Saudi Arabia.  Hossam came to the UK in the 1970s & enjoyed great success as a jazz drummer before returning to the thrilling rhythms of the middle east.  Hossam incorporated all his rhythmic experience into creating a new sound that is heard on hundreds of world leading albums today." 

 

 

KAMEL NITRATE - "Nominated for BBC World Music Awards in 2003 & 2004, & hailed by Andy Kershaw as the future of world music, Kamel Nitrate are pushing the boundaries of global dance fusion to another level. They take global breakbeat funk mixed with the grooves & textures of the middle east, Asia & the Mediterranean, tripped out Bollywood sounds from India to Budapest, & sexy, swinging discotek to create a unique & exhilarating sound."

 

NATACHA ATLAS (right) - international superstar singer, song writer & belly dancer based in north London

 

 

 

NUMAN ELYER (left) - "Numan is a Turkish multi-percussionist. His main instrument is the darbuka, although he is proficient in many others. Numan is one of the pioneers of the new 'all-finger' style of darbuka playing & is fast gaining a reputation for himself in the UK.  As well as performing, he is a session player & teaches." 

 

 

OOJAMI - "One of the best musical hybrids from London", "An impressive, energising release that puts the fun back into 'world' music" (Observer Music Monthly of album "Boom Shinga Ling").  Oojami tours worldwide, playing at private gigs & festivals (including Glastonbury & WOMAD), played a session on Andy Kershaw's BBC radio world music programme, & first album Bellydancing Breakbeats was featured in the film Dirty Pretty Things   

   

 

SALLAM AL SHEIK (left) - darbuka player with residencies at several London restaurants, provides accompaniment for belly dance teachers, featured on Mia Serra's drum solo DVD

 

 

 

SHANKS - darbucka & Swiss hang maestro, details coming soon ...

 

TIM GARSIDE (right) - "Brilliant tabla & ney soloist. He was the first British musician to tour internationally with Hossam Ramzy's Egytian band & has played with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Transglobal Underground, Cheb Mami, Hakim & for many years with Natacha Atlas.  He has also played for broadcasts by Andy Kershaw, John Peel & Jools Holland."  

 

TRANSGLOBAL UNDERGROUND - "London-based multi-cultural collective who, in blending electronica, dub, hip hop & funk with Indian, African & middle eastern musical forms, were significant role models for today's world music phenomenon"

 

ZINGHA RABHI - Tunisian drummer & percussionist ... more details to follow!

 

ZOHAR - more details soon ...

 

DJs ...

 

 

DJ AIDAN LOVE (of the Forty Thieves Orkestra above) - "Playing a mixture of Balkan brass, rousing gypsy numbers, klezmer, Turkish & north African, sometimes folky & traditional, sometimes more dancefloor contemprary"

DJ AK09 - more details soon ...

ALI SLIMANI - Algerian DJ, vocalist & percussionist, more details soon ...

DJ AMAR - more details soon ...

DJ APOLLO FLO - more details soon ...

DJ CAN - Turkish, Arabic & world music DJ for parties & weddings, DJ Can runs regular party nights in London & can also provide live music, sound system hire & belly dancers, venue finding, party planning & full events management

DJ CELIL - more details soon ... 

DJ KADER (see details under ABDELKADER SAADOUN above)

DJ KAPPA - more details soon ...

DJ KARIM (right) - Algerian percussionist & DJ Karim Dellali, "has played with Joi, Oojami & Trevor Watts Moire Music & is very active as a DJ.  He has always surrounded himself with both north African & western music", is the regular DJ at Darbucka world music bar, "& is also associated with the excellent Camberwell club the Couscous Lounge"

DJ KAT - more details soon ...

DJ LEON PARKER - London belly beats DJ, "hosts world music, belly dance & visuals nights at the Escape Bar & Art Cafe (Herne Hill SE24) plus gypsy music sets at the Ritzy Cafe Bar (Brixton SW2)"

MAZAJ SOUND SYSTEM - available for DJ sets & live performances

DJ MEMATI - more details soon ...

DJ NECMI (see details under OOJAMI above)

DJ SLY - more details soon ...