There are many genres of arabic music, House of Tarab specializes in the “Golden Era”
music of Egyptian cinema. Think Frank Sinatra of the middle east, classical instruments
with a big band cabaret sound.
Musical Director Sallah Ali spices the band’s potpourri of arabic songs, dance and theater music with his original arrangements, inspired by his classical training in the Iraqi National Orchestra. While maintaining the integrity of the music these cabaret arrangements keep the music fresh and relevant. The melodies are intricate in there micro-tonal scale structure; and the use of acoustic instrument leads to very dynamic emotional playing. Most all of the members sing chorus as well giving a rich, bigger than life sound. Attention to detail, professional attitudes, hours upon hours of research and rehearsals gives House of Tarab a level of class and sophistication rarely seen these days.
House of Tarab aka H.O.T consists of 6 members playing acoustic instruments including oud (Egyptian lute), ney (open end reed flute), violin, contra bass, and a variety of percussion instruments.
The band was officially formed in 2007 though several members have played in different configurations for over a decade. Venues range from house concerts, weddings, night clubs, concert hall, colleges functions, and festivals. Attention to detail, professional attitudes, hours upon hours of research and rehearsals gives House of Tarab a level of class and sophistication rarely seen these days. From casual to tuxedos these players can do it all. If your are looking to hire an Arabic band in Seattle look no Further.
Unlike a lot of ensembles H.O.T is a family, the members spend as much time hanging out together as they do rehearsing and performing. This has created a bond between them that truly makes the sum greater then the parts.
The Style:
This is not your typical sleepy acoustic music. House of Tarab is high energy dance music accompanied by world class dance artists. The band loves this music and it shows by how much fun they have on stage, goofing around and making jokes that inevitably lead to hysterical laughter by the band and audience. This is a spectacle that will leave any audience in awe, a true cabaret show.
The Musicians:
Stephen Elaimy: oud, vocals
David McGrath: ney, vocals
Sallah Ali: violin, vocals
Andy Zadrozny: contra bass
Jane Hall: riqq, duff, tabl baladi, vocals
Erik Brown: tablah, duff, muzhar, vocals
The Recordings:
House of Tarab: Self titled 2007 voted one of the ten best world music recordings of 2007 by Barbie-Danielle DeCarlo world Music Director of KCBS
House of Tarab: Beledi released in October 2008
The Logistics:
House of Tarab typically consist of 6 members though it can range from a duo to the full ensemble to fit the occasion.
Concert venues must be equipped to handle 11 inputs with 2 monitor outputs. 6 armless chairs, 3 vocal mics, 4 instrument mics, 1 DI, 2 xlr out (for bass amp and oud mic) 7 mic stands (boom) 3 of those short if possible, compression and reverb.
• 1.20.07: Cafe Ibex
• 1.28.07: Museum of History and Industry "MOHAI"
• 3.5.07: Pyramid Lounge 3rd Anniversary "High Dive"
• 3.18.07: Costa Opa "Fundraiser for Laura Legere"
• 3.31.07: A night at Cafe IBEX
• 4.28.07: CD Release Party @ the "Leif Erikson Lodge"
• 5.25.07: N.W. Folklife Festival "Bagley Wright Theatre"
• 5.25.07: N.W. Folklife Festival "International Dance Stage"
• 6.16.07: Fremont Solstice Parade @ "Gasworks Park"
• 6.29.07: Delilah's Parade After Party@ Delilah's House
• 7.21.07: Vason Belly Dance Party@ "Dean and Bonnies
• 7.28.07: Iris and Cyan Wedding@"Mercer Island
• 7.30.07: IBDC Belly Dance Convention Opening ShowLas Vegas
• 8.3.07: IBDC Belly Dance Convention Closing Show Las Vegas
• 8.04.07: John & Soarya's Wedding Party Seattle
• 8.05.07: Arab Fest Seattle
• 8.06.07: Pyramid Lounge Seattle
• 8.11.07: Tree house Party
• 8.17.07: Hot Shotz Martini Bar
• 9.1.07: Methow MoonLight Hafla Twisp Wa
• 9.29.07: Ahmed and Noor's Wedding Reception
• 10.13.07: Eid Celebration Seattle U
• 10.14.07: Eid Celebration Private Party Bellevue Seattle
• 12.08.07: Children of Peace Concert Seattle U
• 12.21.07: Fremont Winter Solstice Feast Seattle
• 12.31.07: New Years Bash Delilah's Birthday Seattle
• 1.25.08: Delilah's Belly Dance Retreat Concert Puna Hi
• 2.3.08: Studio Maui Concert and Show Maui Hi
• 2.4.08: Performance and Show McCoy Theater Maui Hi
• 2.16.08: Columbia City Theater Live CD Recording
• 2.21.08: Zing Go the Strings Town Hall
• 2.22.08: Hot Shotz Martini Bar Bellingham Wa
• 3.03.08: Pyramid Lounge 4th Anniversary Party Seattle Wa
• 3.15.08: Friends of Port Townsend Public Library ,Port Townsend Wa
• 3.22.08: Barakat at the ACT Theater Seattle Wa
• 3.30.08: M.E.A.I Extravaganza Seatte Wa
• 4.4.08: Hot Shotz Martini Bar Bellingham Wa
• 5.10.08: UW Bothell Inter-Cultural Night Bothell Wa
• 5.24.08: Folklife Seattle Wa
• 5.25.08: Folklife Seattle Wa
• 6.13.08: Seattle Folklore Society at South Seattle Community College
• 6.14.08: Trance Dance Party VDP Studio Seattle
• 6.15.08: Heather's Grad/B-Day Party Shoreline Wa
• 7.19.08: Vashon Belly Dance Party@ "Dean and Bonnies"
• 7.27.08: Alki Arts Fair Seattle Wa
• 8.20.08: New Castle Golf Club New Castle Wa
• 9.13.08: Tito Seif Show www.ec4arts.org
• 10.04.08: Meai Voyage of Ra Seattle Art Museum
• 10.05.08: Pyramid Lounge Seattle Wa
• 10.18.08: Cd Release Party SOLD OUT Columbia City Theater Seattle Wa
• 11.08.08: Crossroad Cultural Festival Bellevue Wa
• 12.06.08: Cafe Corsair Seattle Wa
• 12.13.08: Seattle University Children of Peace Foundation Fundraiser
• 12.21.08: Winter Solstice Celebration VDP Studio Seattle Wa
• 12.31.08: Delilah's B-day/New Years Partee Seattle Wa
• 1.10.09: Hot Shotz Martini Bar Bellingham Wa
• 3.2.09: Pyramid Lounge 5 year Anniversary Party Seattle Wa
• 3.14.09: H.O.T Spring Concert Sold Out Columbia City Theater
• 4.11.09: Hot Shotz Martini Bar Bellingham Wa
•4.18.09: Casablanca Restaurant Seattle Wa
•4.25.09: Kolbeh Persian Restaurant Seattle Wa
•5.8.09: Studio Iqaat Los Angeles Ca
•5.9.09: University of Irvine Ca No More Victims Fundraiser
•5.15.09: Kolbeh Persian Restaurant Seattle Wa
•5.16.09: Casablanca Restaurant Seattle Wa
•5.22.09: Kolbeh Persian Restaurant Seattle Wa
•5.23.09: NW Folklife Festiival Seattle Wa
•6.14.09: Babalu Seattle Wa
•6.27.09: Casablanca Restaurant Seattle Wa
•6.28.09: DVD Shoot "Belly Dance Power and Passion" Portland Or
•6.29.09: DVD Shoot "Belly Dance Power and Passion" Portland Or
•6.29.09: Greek Cuisina Portland Or
•7.10.09: Paramount Theater "Dance This" Seattle Wa
•7.11.09: Mercer Island Summer Celebration Festival Mercer Island Wa
•7.11.09:Paramount Theater "Dance This" Seattle Wa
•7.17.09: Navya Lounge Seattle Wa
