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.
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.
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 present an evening with Ukranian Rock Legends: VOPLI VIDOPLIASSOVA - "MALANKA" 40th Anniversary Tour
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.
The Klezmatics Happy Joyous Hanukkah
Neptune Theatre
Dec 16, 2025 | 8:00 PM PST
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, 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.
