Arabic tabla (Instructor/performer)
Ossama Farouk, known as Farouk to friends and colleagues, is a self-taught performer of Middle Eastern percussion. Egyptian-born, he has been playing the popular Arabic hand drum instrument named table (other names for this drum include darbuka, dumbek, doumbek, derbakeh) since the age of 5. A natural talent, he was the first in his family to develop a passion for music and percussion.
He attributes the two greatest Egyptian table players, Khaled Goma and Said El Artist, as influences. Farouk won many instrumental competitions throughout Egypt. He founded his own 14-member Middle Eastern band named Al Nogum (The Stars), shared the stage with top oriental dance artists and musicians, and was a lead percussionist at the famous Cairo Opera House for several years.
Farouk moved to the United States in October 20002 and was welcomed immediately by master artists and performers of Middle Eastern Music. A great musical career flourished as Farouk recorded for and performed with not only the top Arabic Musicians and Singers in the US, but also with artists who represented various genres of world music; including reggae, jazz, DJ/club music, Latin, Greek, Persian, Turkish, Israeli and Moroccan. Notable musicians, singers and performers: Ishtar, Matisyahu, Georges Lammam, Samir Shukry, Smadar Levi, Rachid Halihal, Naser Musa, Avram Pengas, Nick Mandoukos, Elysa Sunshine, Eran Asias, Roquy Danziger, Liron Peled, Nicole LeCorgne, Alfredo de la Fe, Yousry Sharif, Emmanuel Mann, Yoel Ben-Simhon, Jawad Bohsina, Salah Rhanny, Leila Haddad, The Musicians of the Nile and many more.
His unique, engaging style coupled along with his impressive and paramount technique on the table has allowed Farouk to perform all over the world in a vast array of musical environments and functions, including private celebratory occasions, dance workshops, dance theaters, concerts and DJ performances. Farouk has performed in venues that included audience members Nicole Kidman, Donald Trump, The Pussycat Dolls, Ciara, Cameron Diaz, Nelly, Ashanti, US Ambassadors to various Middle Eastern Countries, Senators, Congressment, Governors and Mayors.
Farouk has performed in Madison Square Garden, The Metropolitan Museum and Art, Lincoln Center, Highline Ballroom, Trump Taj Mahal, Kennedy Center, New York University, University of the Distric of Columbia, Princeton University, Queens College, The Southern Theater, Joe’s Pub, B.B. King Blues Club, The Rainbow Room, and many more.
Farouk has added a World Music Percussion Set to his musical repertoire. Ever so dedicated to his craft, Farouk aspires to constantly embrace and excel at all of the sound, textures and techniques of the world’s rhythms.
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