MIDDLE EASTERN PERCUSSION WORKSHOP

(Doumbek /Darbuka, Riqq, Def)

with MICHEL MERHEJ BAKLOUK

Saturday October 10th and Sunday October 11th 2009, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: ARTWORKS STUDIO  237 E 4th Avenue (Main St. & E 4th) Vancouver, BC Canada.

Cost: $100.00 for one day

$150.00 for two days (Early Bird Discount)

Come and experience this once in a lifetime opportunity to study with the legendary Middle Eastern Percussionist, Michel Merhej Baklouk.

Drummers and dancers of all levels are welcome.

Come with an open mind and experience a master in action.

You will learn specific techniques and principles that will enhance your playing forever.

“Michel Merhej Baklouk is a living legend. Anyone fortunate enough to study with him is in for a musical awakening.” Fred Shadian

For more information please call 604-725-8897 or email fredshadian@me.com

Michel Merhej Baklouk is one of the pioneers in the world of rhythm and percussion in all its various and changing forms. His specialty is the riqq (tamborine), the instrument he used to govern the beat of the songs of the great singer Fairuz throughout her long and unique career.

The riqq was also his shadow and loyal guard. “I always had my riqq on me, never left it anywhere or let anybody borrow it.” Michel is also equally adept on the doumbek (Arabic tabla, derbeke, darbuka)

In 1962, Baklouk started teaching percussion at the National Conservatory (his tenure would be 26 years). He accompanied the pioneers of the modern Lebanese song, a genre that grew out of folk music yet exposed to world cultures. He worked with Halim al-Rumi, Farid al-Atrash, Tawfiq al-Basha, Zaki Nasif, Filimon Wahbi, Abd al-Halim Hafez, Mohammad Abd al-Wahhab, and others. His primary work, however, was with the Rahbani Brothers and Fairuz, whom he first remembers as a choral singer at the radio station. Michel has also performed with the icons of Middle Eastern dance including Tahiyya Karyoka, Samia Jamal, and Naima Akef.

Baklouk currently resides in New York City, where he teaches percussion and performs in nationally-renowned ensembles.

A very interesting Interview: http://www.turath.org/Interviews/Michel.htm

*****Please forward to anyone that might be interested*******