Tipsuda performing at the NJ DanceFest 4/08 sponsored by Farasha & Su'ad. I'm accompanying on the darbouka

After all these years, I just found out that I could play the other side of the framedrum skin...

The Persian drum is called the Zarb & the "Dombek". The origin of the word "dombek" is from the bass (Dom) & the high pitched sound "bek" that evoled to the word percussionists currently know as "tek"

Where can you find an American, a Palestinian, & a Tunisian performing North African Music? In Paris!!! Najib, Ronnie, & George perform an impromptu Tunisian song near the Eiffel Tower. El Amal means "the Hope" & he's proud of the fact that his students will continue the tradition & apprciation of North African music & culture. George & Ronnie now formed another group called Lamajamal. If you are in Chicago, please check them out!

Music of the Renaissance and the Silk Road performed with Mary Springfels of the Newberry Library (Chicago, IL) & various talented artsts (Feb 2004)

Najib warming up his fingers....

Tunsian election party in Belgium

When we had our store in Chicago. After one of our North African Nights, Najib would still be playing & we would just clown around. The Marching band trio includes George, Misun, & Bouzid. Sorry for my (Tipsuda) hilarious laughter in the background

Najib playing the Persian doumbek with a song at the end, reminescent of the Tunisian Conservatory training where the percussionists will be tested on the rhythms & how they sing a song to comprehend hand & vocal coordination

Tunisian draboukas are smaller thatn the Middle-eastern cousin. The folkloric beduoin sound is classically heard by the drum "slap"