Unique World Music concert – Detroit area musicians perform in Coldwater
Music of the World with Victor Ghannam and Friends
Coldwater, MI- Detroit area musicians come together for a unique concert in Coldwater at the Tibbits Opera House May 22, at 7pm. Sharing their diverse musical talents with the audience are Victor Ghannam on Oud and Quanoun, Sean Blackman on Guitar, Ons Boukraa on Darbukka, Harry Hovakimian on Violin, and Safa Dahan as vocalist.
The performance of Music of the World with Victor Ghannam and Friends showcases music and instruments of several cultures including Arabic, Spanish, and French, with instruments as varied as the Oud, Qanoun and Darbukka as well as violin, guitar and vocals. The musicians, predominantly from the Detroit area are as cross-cultured as the music they’ll be performing.
The World Music concert evolved after Tibbits’ school performances last year featuring music of the Arabic culture, a concert which hinted at the cross influences of music between regions, cultures and genres.
Victor Ghannam is veteran of the world stage and has performed throughout North, Central, and South America, as well as Europe and the Middle East. He has toured with many of the leading recording artists of the Middle East and is most recognized for his dazzling improvisation which has be called technically brilliant, romantically passionate, creative adventures, filled with intense emotion.
Ghannam’s versatility and ease of crossing musical genres has lead to involvement in projects as diverse as Jazz fusion, Rock and Roll and Flamenco/Belly Dance choreography, among others. As a session musician, he was a featured artist on many episodes of Xena, Warrior Princess and Hercules, Legendary Journeys, among the most successful syndicated programs in television history, and most recently, the Starz network hit series Spartacus.
Victor loves to perform and strives to grow as a messenger of peace and goodwill through musical interpretation. Born in America to Palestinian immigrants, Victor happily resides with his wife Sultana in the state of Michigan and lives his life with an appreciation of all things bestowed upon humanity.
Born and raised in Tunisia, vocalist Safa Dahan is a graduate of The Tunis Musical Academy. She was awarded the prestigious Star of Tunisia Ambassador of the Arts award, in addition to being selected as the Superstar of Tunis. With her golden voice, Dahan has graced the stages of many well known venues with some of the big names of the Middle East. She has also been involved in World Music projects and has recorded on episodes of the “Spartacus” television series. She was host of her own cable television variety show which was broadcast throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and abroad.
Sean Blackman’s unique World Music style is influenced by his deep passion for traditional ethnic music from around the world and of course, growing up in Detroit — Jazz, Blues, Rock and Soul. Blackman works with internationally renowned performers as well as Detroit’s finest and always brings a cross-culture approach to his shows and recordings.
Blackman has been honored with many Detroit Music Awards, has launched and directed World Music Festivals and worked as creative director of entertainment for corporate events for Red Bull, Chrysler and the grand opening of the McNamara Terminal at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport – one of the nation’s most state-of-the-art terminals.
As an established world-music musician, Blackman continues to compose and produce new material that links different genres of music with dance and theatrical performance
Ons Boukraa hails from Tunisia and before moving to the United States was one of the premier percussionists in his country. He has worked with many of the legendary singers and Belly Dancers of the Middle East and has evolved as an artist in the World Music scene. His electrifying solos have dazzled audiences throughout his career.
Harry Hovakimian, was born in Baku, Azerbaijan and began to study the violin from age 7. By age 10, he was winning violin competitions and has been performing ever since. He has played for the presidents of Finland, Portugal and USSR (Gorbachev).
He pursued his music studies after escaping political unrest with his family and after receiving a Master’s Degree in violin, moved to the US with refugee status. Hovakimian began playing in clubs and restaurants and giving private music lessons. Since 1999 he has be a music instructor in Southfield while performing with a variety of groups. He also spends time in the studios recording for various artists.
Tibbits Opera House itself is worth the drive with a beautifully restored historic exterior and an intimate setting with nearly perfect acoustics. A beer and wine cash bar will be available. Tickets for performance are: Adult $20, Student $12, Member $18, Upper Balcony $10 and available online at Tibbits.org/world-music, by calling 517-278-6029 or at the door. Tibbits is located at 14 South Hanchett Street, Coldwater, MI.
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