TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY ARAB MUSIC IN THE UNITED STATES

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra.

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra. [NYAO Website]

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra. [NYAO Website]

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra. [NYAO Website]

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]

Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory and Western Classical Music and Flute Performance in Paris and Moscow. He has toured extensively with international Arab music singing star Fairouz, Andalusian singer-songwriter Marcel Khalife, and Palestinian-American oud virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen. He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, a highly sought-after teacher of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra. [NYAO Website]

Samuel Thomas is founder and bandleader of Asefa, an ensemble devoted to contemporary approaches to composition, improvisation, and fusion drawn from Sephardic, North African and jazz traditions. Thomas also is executive director of JATM (Jewish Awareness Though Music), an applied ethnomusicology organization focused on cultural exchange through music. [Brooklyn Council on the Arts]