Experience the transformative journey of music & art

Three men dressed in traditional Southeast Asian attire, seated on a patterned rug, with one playing a large wooden drum, during a cultural or musical event.

Malay Ensemble / Photo By Darek Mazzone

Our Vision

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We envision a vibrant, connected world full of an abundance of traditions and musical expressions, where all people are valued, supported, and heard.

Our Mission

Stylized white letters spelling out "SAM" on a black background.

SAMA grows empathy across cultures by being a hub for global roots music in the Pacific Northwest & worldwide.  


What We Do

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By curating forward-thinking in-person and digital performances, we seek to celebrate cultural heritage, challenge assumptions, and spark creative exchanges   


Why SAMA?

SAMA is not an acronym; instead, it is a word with several meanings across cultures.

In Arabic, sama means “listening” and “heaven.” In Sanskrit, “equal,” or “same.” In Malay, “together.” And in Japanese, sama is used to address a teacher.

These and other uses of the term suggest a reverence that SAMA embodies when we present the musical translations of the artists we showcase. And when you attend a SAMA performance, reverence for the music is palpable.

“SAMA showcases a blend of arts from all cultures and backgrounds. For many, it offers a unique opportunity to discover music from around the world.”
— Yousra Mansour, Bab L’Bluz

SAMA TEAM

A man with glasses and a beard wearing a dark jacket and white shirt is sitting at a table, talking to a woman with short curly hair wearing a light-colored shirt, in an indoor setting. There are water bottles, a coffee cup, and some papers on the table.

Darek Mazzone

Executive Director / Founder

A smiling elderly man with grey hair, beard, and glasses standing outdoors in a parking lot with cars and green trees in the background.

John M Goodfellow

Board President / Founder

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Christine Delos Reyes

Communications

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Julia Cummings

Fundrasing & Communications Manager

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Sara Green Williams

Business Operations

Our Origin Story

Group of five people standing and talking outdoors and being filmed by a camera crew under a metal roof.
Four people sitting around a small round table in a vintage-themed cafe, engaged in conversation. Three men and one woman, with coffee cups on the table, surrounded by retro decor and collectibles on shelves and walls.

SAMA: Music & Art is a cultural start-up and non-profit organization focused on creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue between global communities through the transformative power of music and art.

SAMA was founded in 2019 by John M. Goodfellow & Darek Mazzone.

Our objective is to elevate and centralize underrepresented voices by employing various performance methods, celebrating diversity, and advocating for shared humanity.

We believe that art, particularly music, possesses a unique capacity to create enduring bonds rooted in empathy and collective joy.

We have witnessed numerous performances that demonstrate the ability of music to forge deep connections between audiences and performers, transcending language and cultural backgrounds.

We concentrate on music and art with transformative qualities, connecting audiences to novel yet ancient experiences. Often, these works are produced by artists with layered cultural identities, enabling them to create pieces that resonate with diverse audiences and challenge prevailing binary thinking.