| Through out my musical journey, I met great musicians. I performed with some and had a chat with others. Those meetings really enriched my life as a human being and as a musician. I would like to share some meetings with you "Stanley Jordan" Mr. Jordan answered my invitation to Jordan and performed as solo in a concert which everyone considered as " Magical Night". I performed with Mr. Jordan and spent a valuable time listening to his great tips about Jazz and music therapy. "Chris Byars" Quartet: Chris Byars, Ari Roland, John Mosca, Stefan Schatz An amazing , experienced group with whom I coordinated a workshop and a great concert of more than 700 people. A New York - based quartet generates new inventive music inspired by the 1950's Bop tradition. I had the honor to perform with them... Chris Washburne A great person and musician...from the moment I heard his music, I felt that meeting Chris will be even more exciting. I performed with Chris and his talented students Jesse, Gilad, Michael, and Doug and I really had great fun. I thank Chris for the great time performing together. Charles Davis One day the American Embassy called me telling me that Charles Davis is invited to Jordan and there is only you to play with him. I was happy and panicked and the same time. It was playing with a jazz master well known for his mastery on saxophone. I was only 19 when he came to Jordan. We met and talked and agreed on some jazz standards. He was so happy when he saw me playing which made me comfortable. After the gig, he advised me to apply to Berklee College of Music as performer. I really learnt a lot from him. Noah Howard Noah Howard, a master of jazz , an influence for many musicians, and a distinguished saxophone player...I was blessed to share all of this when Mr. Noah came to Amman for two times...We spent two weeks working on new originals and recording them at my studio and eventually, we recorded an album " Desert Harmony". I learnt many techniques regarding composing jazz from Mr. Noah...He is a great musician with great sense of humor...god bless you Noah... Plaistow Trio Johann Bourquenez, piano,Raphaël Ortis, bass, Cyril Bondi, drums A Plaistow's music goes through all extremes. Sometimes close to silence, sounds and gestures slackened, we get near an idea of calm and contemplative meditation. The feeling to be able to compose with a slow progress of time. And then, at some point, a kind of anger is given voice, just like in a brief scratch or in a long howling. Here forms are neglected, there is a will to get out of style and decency, a will to adopt an attitude both offhanded and intense. I had fun performing with them. Abdo Dagher A master of Oriental music who toured the world spreading his great compositions. He taught most of the great musicians and his unique technique of violin bowing was adopted by the German and the American governments and he performed in all over Europe. He was invited to Jerash Festival and since he is a close friend to my father I was able to meet him and learn from him his technique which could be applied to all instruments. He performed with Um Kolthum, Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim and many others. He is considered a legend of violin Taqasim..... Alvin Atkinson I met Alvin in Amman with a great group of musicians the "Sound Merchants". I had the chance to meet Alvin and perform with him for a huge audience...it was and amazing opportunity. Harold Mckinney A pianist favored by audiences throughout the nation. Again the American Embassy called to meet this great master who was coming with a great group of masters The MJM - Michigan Jazz Masters. I met him later and performed a bit and told about me applying to Berklee and he advised me to apply there....He gave me many advices about playing piano. Ryan Cohen A unique musician from USA who came with a group of highly professional musicians. I had the chance to jam with them for hours. Ricardo Garcia A great musician from Spain. I met Ricardo in my house where we spent great time jamming. He was very generous telling me great tips about Spanish music. Michel Sajrawi It is very rare to find such a talented Jazz guitarist as Michel. He is considered one of the most important Jazz guitarist in the Middle East. Due to his innovative and rich compositions, he was able to reach the international scene strongly. I hosted Michel in my house and we spent valuable time together; chatting and jamming. Aboud Al Saadi A highly respected musician from Lebanon. He is considered one of the most influential musicians in Middle East. I met Aboud in Lebanon and he showed extraordinarily hospitality and we exchanged valuable information. We performed together in Amman a very unique concert few years ago. Al Di Meola I was visiting some friends when my great friend Walid Akkar - the best music agent in the area - told me that he getting Al Di Meola to perform in Lebanon. I didn't believe it at the beginning but he showed the poster. Walid Akkar was so kind when he let me be during that sound check. At the end, I met Al and told him about me and jazz in Jordan and he showed enthusiasm to play in Jordan...It was great meeting this guitar virtuoso and talk to him. Khalid Mohamad Ali A great composer and Oud performer who amazed the world with his high technique on Oud and his compositions which, according to critiques, revived the genuine oriental music again. Mr. Khalid was born in Al Moosel - Iraq 1960. He started learning Oud since his early childhood and was able to master it along with music theory. I met Mr. Khalid in 1995 and since then he became a close family friend. I learned from him the Iraqi genuine music and scales...and still learning. David Mcdonald A great music and friend who came from the United States and lived in Jordan for more than one year. He played saxophone and knew a big deal about jazz standards. David and I had many gigs and concerts together. David got great jazzy sensation and an honest one too. I wish he could stay longer in Jordan but we agreed to meet each others in the States very soon. (Check Audio Samples page) David Sanchez We all had a great jazz informative concert when I met this great tenor saxophonist David Sanches. He played his compositions from Sketches Of Dreams. We had a chat together and he gave me great tips about jazz. Arthur Satyan While I was visiting Lebanon, my friend Abboud Sa'di introduced me to Arthur as a jazz pianist. First we had a short talk that showed his great knowledge about jazz. Then his gig started and I was amazed by his graceful performance. Then we met in Jordan and we had an idea to play a jazz piano duet and it will happen very soon... |
