Sam Shalabi

Sam Shalabi is an Egyptian-Canadian composer and improviser living between Montreal, Quebec and Cairo, Egypt. Beginning in punk rock in the late 70s, his work has evolved into a fusion of experimental, modern Arabic Music that incorporates traditional Arabic, shaabi, noise, classical, text, free improvisation and jazz.

He has released 5 solo albums (including 'On Hashish'- a musical mediation on German writer Walter Benjamin, 'Osama', an audio collage on arabophobia in the wake of 9/11 and his most recent 'Music for Arabs '), 5 albums with Shalabi Effect, a free improvisation quartet that bridges western psychedelic music and Arabic Maqams (scales) and 3 albums with Land Of Kush (an experimental 30 member orchestra, for which he composes). He has appeared on over 60 albums and toured Europe, North America and North Africa. 
Recent projects include the release of the 6th Shalabi Effect album, a duo album with Stefan Christoff, two albums on the Italian label Sagittarius with Beirut, Turkish and Egyptian musicians and a tour in the eastern U.S with Alvarius B, playing solo Oud (Arabic Lute). 
He is also releasing a new composition for Oud and electronics on Nashazphone called 'Isis and Osiris' as well as releasing an album with The Dwarves Of East Agouza, a Cairo based trio with Maurice Louca and Alan Bishop while currently working on his 6th solo album.