ENTERTAINERS
Music played by:
Elias Haddad & Band
Good Touch
Created in the summer 2012 by front-man Patrick Minjeur, Good Touch has evolved from a singer-songwriter solo project into a four-piece rock group consisting of guitarist Evan Gatny, drummer Matt Doppel, and bassist John Labut.
The music created by Good Touch is a collection of Minjeur's cryptic lyrics involving dreams, fictional relationships, and technology junkyism. GT’s song structure is ripe with vocal harmonies, complex guitar duels, folky rhythms and huge dynamic swings. Their live shows highlight the group's raw talent and ability to blend into a homogeneous mix of immense high quality sound which is said to have hints of David Byrne, Radiohead, and Paul Simon in its roots. Their spot-on use of acapella to accentuate song breaks and soul filled guitar solos are accompanied by hypnotic manually sequenced light displays.
Good Touch will be releasing their first full-length studio album later this year!
The incomparable Usama Baalbaki is one of the leading Arab vocalists in Arab America today. A superb vocalist, he is also an accomplished musician as well.
Originally from Lebanon, Baalbaki is known for his eclectic style of music from Arab pop to the classics.
He is also the board chairman and lead vocalist with the Michigan Arab Orchestra and has performed classical pieces from Mohamed Abdul Wahab, Abdel Halim Hafez and music from the folk and classical genres.
Baalbaki has traveled throughout the U.S., Canada, South America and the Arab world where he has performed at numerous weddings and cultural events.
Usama Baalbaki
Zak Baalbaki
Zak Baalbaki was born in 1977 in Kuwait City. At the age of 13, he performed in his first talent show while still in middle school. His love for music quickly grew so in high school, he decided to join the choir group. He soon thereafter put together an Arabic band and started performing live. It was the first Arabic band to pass through the halls of Fordson High School. From it, an Arabic club/group was founded where the band, “Stars of the Night”, performed live for students and staff…and the rest is history!
The Baalbaki family moved to the USA in October of 1989 where Zak decided to continue his education. He graduated from Fordson High School in 1995 and continued even further to obtain a associates degree in Architectural construction from Henry Ford Community College in 2000.
Zak’s proficiency and fluency of the Arabic and English languages has allotted a great future for the performer. His latest CD, “Habibi Rjaali” was released on February 16, 2008 by Melodic Entertainment Inc. His true love of music and the encouragement that he receives from a live audience delivers nothing less than an excellent performance each and every time he is on stage.
Wisaal
Wisaal is a Mediterranean fusion group based in Lansing, MI. Formed in 2010, Wisaal has continuously developed and refined their music while performing throughout the United States. Their performances have captivated audiences at diverse venues, including the Lotus Festival (Bloomington, IN), Concert of Colors (Detroit, MI), and Global Rhythms (Miami University, OH). Their music has been described as “both engaging and complex, a lively, deeply spiritual tapestry of interwoven influences and melodies, times and cultures.”
Wisaal’s unique style of music draws influences from around the globe. Instrumental tunes from the Mediterranean, such as Zeina and Samai Kurd, are presented alongside original compositions and arrangements. Bamo Ramo, written by former Wisaal member Navjot Sandhu, combines Indian rhythms with melodies from the Balkans. Dark Eyes features klezmer-influenced clarinet in a fresh take on this old Gypsy tune. Other original compositions like Aspen Grove, Fusion Dance, and Mediterranean Homesick Blues combine Arabic melodic ideas with jazz and classical influences.
Wisaal consists of Igor Houwat (oud), Will Cicola (clarinet/saxophone), Ben Fuhrman (mandolin), Tim Patterson (bass), Ty Forquer (percussion), and Mike List (percussion).
Nasser Deeb was born (1979) and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He is the son of a Syrian immigrant and is proud of his upbringing. He has lived in Michigan for his entire life and has strong ties to the Arab community.
He has a Business Marketing and an Economics Degree from the University of Michigan. Nasser has been listening to Arabic music his entire life. As a young boy, he would sing and play along with his favorite songs. Nasser has been performing at venues throughout the United States and has traveled as far as Syria. Additionally, he has performed in concerts with Fares Karam, Tony Hanna, and Nour Mehanna.
Nasser Deeb
Kamal Kareem was born in Mosul, Iraq and currently lives and work in Dearborn, Michigan.
Kamal offers private music lessons of the highest quality, combined with practical experience that broadens the scope of music education.
Mr. Kareem offers lessons in Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, and Flute.
Kamal Kareem
Joseph Bashara started his singing career at the young age of 15 in the old city of Nazareth. He formed a band with a group of musicians from the neighborhood singing and performing in weddings and occasions all around Palestine.
After gaining some experience and confidence, Joseph had the opportunity to come to the United States in July of 2000. Joseph took the adventure and made the move. That's where the hobby and passion that he had for music and the entertainment business turned in to a profession.
In the summer of 2000 Joseph resided in Chicago, IL and quickly made a name for himself while working with some of the best musicians that the windy city had to offer. Joseph has performed in venues ranging from weddings to concerts all across the Unites States. In 2010, Joseph moved to Detroit, Michigan.