We believe music was humanity’s first language.
SAMA helps people remember how to listen across difference.
Experience
SAMA
Since SAMA began in 2019, we have produced and captured one-of-a-kind performances with more than 200 artists from across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Experience the transcendent power of music by viewing one of our past performances.
Upcoming
Performances
SAMA aims to help bring as many outstanding international artists to the Pacific Northwest to perform and rebuild our vibrant connected community.
Through musical performances, global artists have the power to transport audiences around the world all while challenging preconceptions or assumptions about what we know or believe about other cultures. See what’s coming up!
About SAMA
SAMA grows empathy across cultures by being a hub for global roots music in the Pacific Northwest & worldwide
Founded by Darek Mazzone and John Goodfellow in 2019, SAMA has helped music lovers discover emerging and underrepresented artists, produced hundreds of cultural performances, and partnered with producers & musicians from Portugal, Ukraine, Iran, Taiwan, and beyond. Learn more about our work.
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COMING UP
SAMA x Triple Door Presents: Meklit
MEKLIT IS PRONOUNCED MUH-KLEET AND RHYMES WITH BEAT
Meklit Hadero is an award winning Ethiopian-American vocalist/composer and former refugee. Her music has been featured by the New York Times, BBC, NPR and more. Meklit is a NatGeo Explorer, TED Sr. Fellow, and former Artist-in-Residence at Harvard. She has been commissioned to create music by Lincoln Center, and collaborated with Kronos Quartet, Andrew Bird and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. She is host of Movement, a new radio series, podcast and live show exploring the intersection of migration and music, which airs as a nationally syndicated feature on PRX's The World to 2.5 million monthly listeners.
Town Hall Seattle x SAMA Present: Saha Gnawa
The ensemble is co-led by Maâlem Hassan Ben Jaafer, a master musician who carries forward generations of Gnawa tradition, the son of the esteemed Maâlem Abdullah Benjaafar of Fes. Trained in his father’s officially recognized Gnawa school and by master musicians throughout Morocco, Ben Jaafer earned the title of Maâlem (master) as a teenager—an honor bestowed only by consensus of other masters. He performs on vocals and guembri (a three-stringed bass lute) and has collaborated with artists like Randy Weston, and leads the Grammy-nominated group Innov Gnawa.
Co-leader Daniel Freedman, a drummer and composer, brings decades of experience collaborating with artists like David Byrne and Angelique Kidjo, as well as deep knowledge of traditions from Africa and the Middle East.
The ensemble also features Amino Belyamani (Innov Gnawa, Dawn of Midi) and David Lizmi (Innov Gnawa, Bombino) on qraqebs and backing vocals, and Jason Lindner (David Bowie, Now vs Now) on keys and synths.
SAMA x Triple Door Presents: Lunasa
“the hottest Irish acoustic band on the planet.” IRISH VOICE (USA)
“anybody who listens can’t help but find them contagious.” BILLBOARD (USA)
‘Lúnasa reigns as the new Celtic royalty’ BOSTON HERALD (USA)
SAMA x Triple Door Presents: Alash Ensemble
The ensemble Alash is a throat singing band from Tuva, Russia, that performs traditional Tuvan music with some non-traditional influences.
“It’s one of the most astonishing sounds a human body can produce.” — Washington Post
“Alash … pretty much knocked everybody’s socks off.” — Pegasus News, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
“The Tuvans were astonishing in various styles of khöömei (throat singing), from frightening growls to otherworldly overtone whistles … Alash's many songs about ‘fast horses and pretty girls’ were pleasingly punctuated by equine snorts and neighs from their horse-head fiddles. The result came close to magic …”
— Songlines
SAMA x Triple Door Presents: Solas
Solas is lighting up stages across the globe as they celebrate three decades of pushing boundaries and honoring traditions in Irish music. Hailed by The Boston Globe as “the finest Celtic ensemble this country has ever produced,” and by The Wall Street Journal as “an Irish traditional band bearing all the marks of greatness,” Solas continues to captivate audiences with their spellbinding musicianship and genre-defying creativity.
SAMA x Triple Door Presents: Simon Okelo and One Vibe Band
Simon Okelo and One Vibe Band with Special Guests - The Madaraka Black Tie Gala 2026: Music That Heals & Empowers
Led by Kenyan-born artist Simon Javan Okelo, One Vibe Band blends African rhythms, soulful vocals, and global sounds to inspire unity and joy. Based in Seattle, they’ve performed nationwide and internationally, uplifting audiences through powerful performances that celebrate culture, connection, and community.
SAMA x Triple Door Presents: Gnoss
“Gnoss are one of those rare birds in folk: a group you can name after hearing their first notes.” - Folk Radio UK
SAMA x Triple Door Presents: Dervish
Icons of Irish Music – BBC Lifetime Achievement Awardees
For over three decades, Dervish has been at the forefront of traditional Irish music, captivating audiences worldwide with their energetic performances and masterful musicianship. Originating from County Sligo, Ireland, the ensemble features some of the country’s finest traditional musicians, fronted by the renowned vocalist and bodhrán player Cathy Jordan.
SAMA x Triple Door Presents: Skerryvore
Three time winners of Scotland’s ‘Live Act of the Year’ award, Skerryvore have evolved from their humble beginnings to become one of the country’s leading forces in a thriving live music scene. At the forefront of a movement that has reinvented and reignited a traditional Scottish scene for a modern, multicultural audience, the band have brought their high energy performances to audiences across the globe. From their early days in Scottish West Coast halls and bars, to festival crowds in the USA, Canada, Australia and throughout the UK and Europe, Skerryvore’s wide range of influences and talent produce a musically expansive, immersive yet intimate set that excites and captivates audiences.
An Evening with Nani Vazana (7 PM)
Nani Vazana is a millennial Ladino songwriter, she won the Eurovision for minority languages (Liet International) 2024 representing the Netherlands with her original song Una Segunda Piel (A Second Skin).
SAMA & Roots and Chords Music Presents: Vopli Vidolpliassova
SAMA & Roots and Chords Music present an evening with Ukranian Rock Legends: VOPLI VIDOPLIASSOVA - "MALANKA" 40th Anniversary Tour
SAMA x Triple Door Presents: Yagódy
Founded in Lviv in 2016, the Yagódy band began as a spontaneous project that grew out of their acting experience and love of folk music. Their approach to folk songs is unconventional: they reinterpret ancient melodies, immersing themselves in their drama and musical atmosphere. Each song for them is a separate action, a mini-performance in which Ukrainian vocals, Balkan rhythms, and ancient songs merge and find their way into the audience's hearts. Their music is the vibrations of nature, the call of blood that unites generations. It is a journey into the soul of everyone who is ready to feel connected to their own roots.
ECA & SAMA Present: Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band
The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band (JKIBB) is an ensemble of Native and Indigenous jazz musicians from across Indian Country. Performing pieces from their under-appreciated predecessors in jazz, like Mildred Bailey (Coeur d’Alene) and Jim Pepper (Kaw/Mvskoke), alongside works by contemporary Indigenous composers, the band spotlights a vibrant, long-standing tradition of Indigenous improvised music today. Led by the celebrated vocalist and luminary Julia Keefe (Nez Perce), the ensemble brings charisma, passion, and purpose to every stage, leaving audiences both inspired and educated.
GENRE: Jazz
WHAT TO EXPECT: a soulful, swing-infused journey through jazz history, blending lush horn arrangements, smoky vocals, and a celebration of Indigenous culture.
SAMA Presents: The Klezmatics Happy Joyous Hanukkah
The Klezmatics Happy Joyous Hanukkah
Neptune Theatre
Dec 16, 2025 | 8:00 PM PST
Puuluup | Neo-Zombie-Post-Folk
SAMA: Music + Art Presents:
Puuluup, the Estonian neo-zombie-post-folk duo, will grace the stage of Hidden Hall in Fremont!
Puuluup was formed in 2014 by two talharpa enthusiasts, Ramo Teder and Marko Veisson. They play their own compositions on talharpas – a traditional bowed lyre, popular in Northern Europe since the early Middle Ages and played on Western Estonian islands until the beginning of the 20th century. Puuluup directs the vibrations of the talharpa’s horsehair strings through effect blocks and looper, uses alternative bowing, drumming techniques, and sounds. The mellow sighs of the talharpa are paired with electronically amplified echoes, knocks, creaks, and crackles, while still maintaining the instrument’s natural sound.
They play with music as they play with words, sometimes creating their own language. Puuluup states: “We draw inspiration from Vormsi nights, trams in November, junkies in love, criminals from Odessa and Antonio Vivaldi."
Mariachi Divas
GENRE: Mariachi
WHAT TO EXPECT: a vibrant celebration of culture and passion; a powerhouse performance with this GRAMMY Award-winning Marachi ensemble featuring a contemporary, all-female twist.
Kruder & Dorfmeister play the K&D Sessions Live
Kruder & Dorfmeister, named after members Peter Kruder and Richard Dorfmeister, is an Austrian duo, known for their trip hop/downtempo remixes of pop, hip hop and drum and bass songs.
SAMA: Music+Art Presents: Ustad Naseeruddin Saami & The Saami Brothers with Anil Prasad: A Night of Khayal & Qawwali
Join us for an extraordinary evening of spiritual devotion, rare artistry, and deep musical tradition as Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, the last living master of the Khayal vocal tradition, takes the stage alongside his sons, The Saami Brothers, in a powerful ensemble performance. Local tabla player, Anil Prasad, will join for a powerful night of sacred sound, story, and South Asian Sufi devotion.
Hidden Hall, SAMA & Solid Sound Present: BAMBA WASSOULOU GROOVE with Publish The Quest
High-energy West African funk/rock straight from Mali - with local legends, Publish The Quest
Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano
Kiki Valera is the oldest son of the famous La Familia Valera Miranda septet, a multi-generational traditional music group from Santiago de Cuba. Since the 19th century, La Familia Valera Miranda has played a significant role in Cuban culture by collecting and preserving the deep-rooted traditions of the legendary Sierra Maestra mountain region. Their debut album, ANTOLOGÍA INTEGRAL DEL SON, released in 1982, helped initiate the explosion of interest in traditional Cuban music.
VOPLI VIDOPLIASSOVA
Vopli Vidopliassova, also shortened to VV, is a Ukrainian rock band. It was created in 1986 in Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union. The leader of the band is singer Oleh Skrypka. Vopli Vidopliasova are the founders of Ukrainian rock-n-roll style and neo-ethnic rock.
DAGADANA & Trupa Trupa
DAGADANA blends Slavic folk, jazz, and electronica into joyful cultural fusion.
Trupa Trupa brings post-punk intensity, confronting themes of conflict and resilience—The Rolling Stone track Mourning one of the year’s best.
Presented by SAMA, Music Week Poland, and The World Justice Project.
Dave Holland and Lionel Loueke
United, the highly anticipated release from jazz legends Dave Holland and Lionel Loueke transcends mere collaboration; it embodies a soulful conversation between two masters from distinct backgrounds, merging their unique voices into something beautifully transcendent. What began as an impromptu moment during a soundcheck has blossomed into an album that reflects the spirit of two musicians dedicated to pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons. The album is a profound testament to true collaboration, beautifully fusing Loueke’s rich West African roots with Holland’s profound influence on modern jazz.
Duende Libre Album Release
Duende Libre is an award-winning jazz trio whose original music combines jazz virtuosity with roots rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, and West Africa into a “strikingly authentic blend.” Each having apprenticed with direct descendants and master musicians of these traditions, they consider themselves disciples of their teachers. The result: A euphoric new jazz that honors its historical roots, pushing open the boundaries of genre to invoke a powerful sonic freedom.
Mabe Fratti w/ Military Genius
Mabe Fratti is an experimental cellist and composer. Originally from Guatemala, Fratti is now based in Mexico City. She uses cello, voice and synthesizers to present sound in the form of installation, composition & free improvisation. Mabe’s music takes us to sensible sounding boards: through a hypnotic and captivating performance, she sews contemporary elements like shoegaze and dream pop with ancestral influences that go from Gregorian chants to Sephardi music, transforming them in ingredients of a potent sonic ritual that causes a profound emotional impact.
Dobet Gnahoré
"If you like Angelique Kidjo, Fatoumata Diawara, Oumou Sangaré, or Rokia Traoré, you will definitely appreciate Dobet Gnahoré. She merges the talents of all these extraordinary singers and on stage, Dobet unleashes a passion that renders audiences awestruck during her concerts across Africa, Brazil, the United States, Japan, and Europe." – KALW (Emmanuel Nado)
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗬𝗘𝗧 𝗨𝗦 🇺🇸 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥!
Dimitriou's Jazz Alley welcomes one of the most authentic forces in the Afrobeats genre, Sean Kuti & Egypt 80, for two nights and four shows. Band members are: Anikulap Kuti Oluwaseun (singer/sax/keyboard), Nicolas Timon Sebastien (trumpet), Kunle Justice (bass), Adebowale Adewunmi Osunnibu (baritone sax), Akinola Adio Oyebola (rhythm guitar), Balogun Cynthia Abimbola (dancer/singer), Adeniran Iyabo Folashade (dancer/singer), Fabrice Fila (tenor sax), and Mario Orsinet (drums). Showtimes Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 pm AND 9:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm each night.
Bab L' Bluz plus DJ Darek Mazzone
Join us at Nectar to experience the Moroccan Psych-Roc of Bab L’ Bluz!
Trio Brasileiro: Spirited Strings
Weave through new tones of Brazilian Jazz with Trio Brasileiro.
Trio Brasileiro is a Grammy-nominated contemporary Brazilian Jazz ensemble that performs both original compositions and fresh interpretations of Brazilian classics.
Ablaye Cissoko and Cyrille Brotto
Senegalese kora master Ablaye Cissoko shares the stage in a mesmerizing collaboration with French accordionist and composer Cyrille Brotto. Together, they create an exotic, yet strikingly modern sound that melds the deep traditions of their very different musical cultures and showcases their unique artistry.
“masterful... a gem from start to finish” - Songlines
Ablaye Cissoko & Cyrille Brotto
Ablaye Cissoko and Cyrille Brotto perform a gift of poetic imagination and musical intelligence, at times so harmonious that it seems as if touched by grace.
Yagódy
Yagódy is a Ukrainian theater and music group performing in the genre of "ethno-drama" and theatrical performance. Participants of the Ukrainian national selection for the song contest "Eurovision-2024" with the song "Tsunamia".
Gunhild Carling
Gunhild Carling is a Swedish Jazz Star. She plays multiple instruments, sings and tap dances. She performs all over the world.
Ballaké Sissoko, Vincent Segal, Émile Parisien, Vincent Peirani: Les Égarés
Les Égarés (the wandering ones or the lost ones) is an amalgamation of two virtuoso duos—Ballaké Sissoko (kora) and Vincent Segal (cello) on one side and Émile Parisien (saxophone) and Vincent Peirani (accordion) on the other. Together they expertly meld jazz, traditional music forms and the avant garde in a wonderful unity of spirit and fluidity.
Lute Legends - Borderlands: Music on the Edge
Featuring Ronnie Malley, Lucas Harris, and Wen Zhao, the Lute Legends Collective is a performing association of musicians who represent ancient plucked-string traditions. It’s certainly possible that some combinations of their instruments would have sounded together centuries ago, such as a pipa player jamming together with an oud player somewhere along the old Silk Road. However, the collective’s aim is less to recreate history and more to delight in creating a new arena where these old instruments can make music together.
This event presented in partnership with SAMA: Music & Art.
Tembembe Ensamble Continuo
Tembembe Ensamble Continuo returns to Seattle to combine music of the Spanish and Mexican Baroque guitar with today’s traditional Mexican sones.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
“Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the acclaimed South African vocal ensemble, has captivated audiences around the world with their serene harmonies and electrifying isicathamiya singing style. Founded in the 1960s by Joseph Shabalala, the group rose to international prominence through collaborations with artists like Paul Simon on his landmark album Graceland. Their performances are more than concerts—each show is a joyful expression of cultural heritage, hope, and unity. On February 25, 2025, they’ll bring this musical magic to Seattle’s Neptune Theater, inviting listeners to experience the uplifting power of traditional Zulu a cappella firsthand.”
Ballaké Sissoko and Derek Gripper: A New String Theory
A meeting between instruments, ready to break from tradition.
Malian virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko, widely considered to be one of the greatest touring kora players, joins Derek Gripper, South Africa’s leading guitarist, whose love of the kora set him transcribing and recording some of its greatest works, to change the face of classical guitar and give the instrument its very first African repertoire.