Kamal Musallam

Born in Kuwait on June 8 1970, from very artistic parents, kamal showed unique talents for drawing and playing music from the early age of 3. His mother Suhaila first introduce him to play the piano, where it led him quickly to discover and fall in love with another instrument: the accordion. He used to play it in scouts and early school bands in morning shows before classes. He started learning guitar at the age of 9 trying to imitate his cousin Charlie, who played and sang very well, until he finally got from him a first lesson..! He took the guitar more seriously when he was 17.

Kamal was educated as architect both in Jordan and France (B.arch, CEAA). He went through various musical experiences throughout his young age and college times; of which were arabic bands, flamenco, rock and blues bands. Late 80's to early 90's, he started discoveing more of Jazz sounds through pirated cassettes - the only available resources at that time - and got to know Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, George Benson, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, among many others. In 1994 he moved to France, where he experienced another true musical atmosphere for four years, attending festivals and concerts in both France and Switzerland. He met artists from all over Europe and the world. There he created a more obvious interest for jazz, and developed his playing style. In 1997 he moved back for one year in Lebanon to work as architect; during which he met Ziad Rahbani and started to be a part of his ensemble.There he was convinced his real passion was music and nothing but that, and had to make a serious decision about his career, either to be an architect or a musician, and he chose to explore the musical world.

That decision demanded a new travel to learn about music industry in its proper terms. He chose to go back for one more year in Paris to investigate as much as possible in the field.

Kamal’s final return to settle in Jordan, and establish his own label and musical activity, led him to produce his first album “On a Jordan River’s Side” - K&G Productions 2003. A record that was highly appreciated by listeners, artists and agents, locally and on the international level….As well by Pat Metheny, one of Kamal’s heroes, great friends and favorite modern composers and guitar players. Among his other influences are John McLaughlin, Django Reinhardt , Santana, and Tal Farlow.

At present, Kamal is settled in Dubai, active as performer and producer. His main performing bands are Kamal Musallam Group and Kamal Musallam Trio.

Festivals

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Records

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Born in Toronto, Canada in November 1968. Called by his friends & fans "The Canadian Keyboard Wizard", Andrew has preformed since early age with various bands in his home town, and moved to Dubai in mid 90's for more international exposure. He has been performing around the Middle East region for the last 6 years.

He has studied music at the University of Toronto. As well as Humber college, where he has completed his Music Performance Degree. He also attended private classes with Barry Harris - one of the greatest Jazz pianists from the Bebop era, as well as with Howard Reeves.

The Piano, Keyboards and Hammond B3 are where he calls home. Performance is his life, the stage comes alive when Andrew is performing, with all of his movements, real invovelment in the musical context, and honesty of expression. It is a true thrill to hear his skill in any performance weather it be in the piano lounge, small night club, larger venue, or concert hall.

Played along with

The Temptations, Uncle Jam, Kamal Musallam Group, and Abstrakt Collision.

Andrew Jankura's website

Born in Beirut, Lebanon on August 17 1978, his passion for rhythm was revealed in his early years. By the age of 9 he was playing the Darbouka and was acquainted with the essence of the traditional Arabic music. During the years 1988 – 1993 he performed with several Arabic singers as a side man. Later on he was attracted to drums as an instrument with a wider percussive range, and tracking its traces he crossed the border of oriental music towards the western musical world.

During the years 1993 – 1995  he got the first drumming basics from Rock. In 1996  he met Maroun Daou - currently performing and living in Montreal - and was introduced to Fusion music listening to bands like "yes", "King Crimson", "Rush" and later on to the funk music of Pastorious. In the same year he started taking private drum lessons with Walid Tawil, where he discovered Chick Corea, Mike Stern, Tom Coster and John Scofield. Later on he collaborated with Arthur Satyan, Jack Gregg and Steve Philips (the former Three Wheel Drive Band), which made him discover the old Jazz school digging the music of Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Clifford Brown, Wynton Kell etc…. (currently, Rony is also a member of the New Arthur Satyan Trio).

2002, Rony finished his musicology studies and graduated from the Holy Spirit University where he gained a wide musical background ranging from Oriental, passing through Classical music and ending  with Jazz and he performed during the year 2000 -2001 with the Oriental band of Kaslik playing "Darbouka" and "Bandir" (an Arabic percussion
instrument).

Since 2002 Rony was an established drummer in the Lebanese Jazz scene. He was appointed as a drum teacher in the Holy Spirit University, beside being a teacher of Rhythmic Activities in The Saint Joseph
University.

Played along with

Main Influences: Jack DeJohnette, Roy Haynes, Steve Gadd, Bill Stewart and Vinnie Colauita.

Rony Afif's website

...coming soon the biographies of: