Sam Shahin Presents 'Barakat'

Suggested Donation/Sliding Scale GA (3rd row and on, mixed chairs) - $15-20

Barakat RETURNS! The brain child of , Barakat is derived from Shahin’s maternal grandmother’s maiden name, as well as the Arabic word for “blessings.” Along with the premiere of Barakat as an ensemble, this performance also marks the debut of Shahin’s original compositions, which are presented in two separate suites of music interspersed with narratives to present the power of shared heritage and profound impact of family matriarchs across national and ethnic borders.
Shahin’s innovative, hypnotic, and ground-breaking compositions dive into his Middle-Eastern heritage to take the listener on an exploration of music ranging from the spirit of New Orleans jazz to the Arabic soundscapes of the Levant. This Barakat performance is not just a world premiere for the ensemble itself but for material presented as well, which is presented in two separate suites of music interspersed with narratives that represent the power of shared heritage, and how matriarchs shape that power. The selections will come to life with the help of some of New Orleans’ most inspiring musicians: (guitar/strings), (keys/piano), (bass), and (piano).
“The music of Barakat, organically inspired by my current home in New Orleans as well as by my ancestral home of Lebanon, is alive, it’s breathing, it’s always capable of being shaped or nurtured not only by the performers, but by the listener. It’s not just us sharing our experience—the performance is a shared experience in and of itself.” —Sam Shahin
Sam Shahin is an innovative percussionist, composer, and educator from New Orleans, Louisiana. Most known for his work with ground-breaking jazz fusion band Naughty Professor, Shahin has also performed live with The Revivalists, Big Freedia, Marcus King, Tank and the Bangas, Shaun Martin, Neal Francis, Mahmoud Chouki, and many others. A consistent staple of the New Orleans music scene, Shahin has earned nominations for Offbeat Magazine’s “Best Drummer in New Orleans” Best of the Beat Award twice in his career, along with Naughty Professor earning multiple nominations for “Best Funk Band in New Orleans.” He has recorded in studio with artists including Ivan Neville, Shaun Martin, and Mike Dillon; having collaborated on original compositions for recordings with David Shaw, Tariona “Tank” Ball, and Chali 2na. His work has also brought him around the world for tours of Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and North Africa, as well as to many illustrious venues such as The Blue Note, The Kennedy Center, The Fillmore West, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and many more. With a unique personal voice, an adventurous mind, and remarkable talent, Sam Shahin is a musician who is sure to move the audience in many ways.

Host or Publisher Marigny Opera House