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Grammy-nominated Souhail
Kaspar, Master
Percussionist, is known
world wide for his
brilliant technique,
exciting performances
and teaching skills.
A true virtuoso, his
ability to improvise and
embellish the rhythmic
patterns of Arabic
music, as well as his
knowledge of ethnic
musical history make him
one of the most highly
acclaimed performers and
instructors of our day.
Born in Lebanon and
trained at Nadi al-Fonun
al-Arabia (Conservatory
of Traditional Arabic
Music) in Aleppo, Syria,
he excelled in both
classical and ethnic
rhythmic patterns and
techniques; there he
received his Degree in
Classical Arabic
Performance. |
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Mr. Kaspar has worked with
legendary Egyptian composers
Farid al-Atrash, Sayyad Makowi
and Hanni Mehanna. He has
traveled extensively during his
career and has performed with
artists John Bilezikjian, Kenny
Burrell, Omar Faruk, Shujaat
Khan, Kronos Quartet, Cheb Mami,
Dr. Scott Marcus, Roberto
Miranda, Tito Puente, The
Sacramento Symphony Orchestra,
Kathem al-Saher, Simon Shaheen,
Sting, Strunz & Farah, Wadi
al-Safi and many others. He has
also performed for dignitaries
such as Ronald Reagan, Pope John
Paul II, and the Dalai Lama.
Souhail, recipient of the Durfee
Music Fellowship given to master
musicians and teachers, has
worked with Dr. Ali Jihad Racy
(renowned UCLA
Ethnomusicologist) at a wide
variety of cultural events.
Together they have performed in
major concert halls and taught
master classes and workshops
throughout the United States.
His impressive body of recorded
work includes soundtrack credits
for the movies The Prince of
Egypt, Sinbad and Scooby Doo in
Egypt and for the documentaries
The Region of the Nile, Darfur
Now and The Great Bazaars. He
has been featured on many CDs
including guest percussionist on
Caravan with the cutting edge
Kronos Quartet, When the Soul is
Settled: Music of Iraq for the
Smithsonian Institute (nominated
for the 2008 Grammy Traditional
World Music Category), The Congo
Square Project to provide relief
funds for New Orleans musicians,
Khaliji and Magic.
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Recordings for
educational purposes
include his CD Awzan:
Arabic Rhythmic Modes
and his DVD Foundations
of Arabic Rhythm with
Souhail Kaspar, Master
Class at Home for
Egyptian Tablah & Riqq.
He has recently
completed filming two
new instructional DVD’s
Intermediate & Advanced
Techniques & Rhythms
with Souhail Kaspar,
Master Class at Home for
Egyptian Tablah and
Egyptian Rhythm &
Movement for Raqs
al-Sharqi with Souhail
Kaspar Master Class at
Home for Dancers &
Drummers. |
Souhail’s signature Egyptian
drum line was released in 2007.
Currently, Souhail Kaspar lives
in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
He performs/records
internationally, teaches
percussion and dance theory as
well as coaches professional
musicians and dancers in the
traditions of Arabic
performance. |
