The Blues Returns to Beirut - 21 July

My first show in Beirut in 3 years will be on July 21 at Salon Beyrouth!

Come on down to hear the real low down and rotten blues, as you ain't never done!

You can check out the event page [here]!

Performing in Bahrain Tomorrow!

I'll be performing tomorrow at Hazel Rooftop Lounge in Adliya, Bahrain!

This marks the first time I perform in Bahrain under my own name, and I've assembled a talent group of local musicians to be my backup band, so you're in for a treat!

Also, you get 25% off on bourbon and whiskey so you can get in the real mood for the blues.   

Blues Review 2016

Another year has gone, this time one of the harshest. Wars, many influential celeb deaths, and Pokemon Go.

This year was a turning point for me, as I was signed to a record label and my album is coming early next year, as well having some great gigs and played in Bahrain for the first time with my rock side-project The Watertowers.

My album, coming soon in 2017

Blog wise I was not that active this year, mainly because my life and music commitments too a lot of my blog slice of the pie; hopefully you stuck around with me and I hope to bring you more blues next year. Have a good one everybody.

Oh, and in case you missed it, here's my latest Youtube upload of my band performing Dust My Broom at the DAI Fall Festival last month:

Double Performance This Weekend!

As a great start to the musical season, I'll be performing not once, but twice, this Thursday at Al-Sadu House.

This event is a casual get together, organized by Khaleejesque Magazine, in collaboration with Jumo Coffee.

The first set will be my own blues set with my mates Hashim Al-Nasser and Tarek Kabbani, and then with our superband The Watertowers as the closing set.

Hope to see you there!

'Rock Me Baby' - Ali Sleeq & Turk LIVE

Here's a stripped down, mellow version of the classic blues standard 'Rock Me Baby', that me and Tarik 'Turk' Kabbani performed at Shaheed Park (Kuwait) in February.

More videos will be posted soon!

20th Anniversary Tour of 'Come Find Yourself' - Fun Lovin' Criminals

One of my all time favorite bands, and definitely one the most underrated. Their mix of blues, rock, funk, hip-hop, lounge, and the gritty mafioso urban lyrical content caught my attention instantly back in the day and I never looked back.

The Fun Lovin' Criminals are starting this year with a bang; their first album, released in 1996, 'Come Find Yourself' turns 20. And to celebrate, the boys have kicked off a massive European/Australia tour.

I am without a doubt their biggest fan from the Middle East; hopefully they set a gig in the region so I can go watch... been a dream of mine since 1997! I have all their albums and DVD's including some limited release vinyls.

Not only that, a re-release of the album has been announced which includes rare goodies, like rare takes, remixes, videos, and the like:

Go to their official page [here] and check out a classic track from the original album:

A Bluesy Weekend Special

Hey folks, after a long break from performing, I'm back with the blues, and back to back with 2 shows this weekend! I've got a setlist comprised of new and rare songs, and I'm happy to have probably the best harp player I've ever played with, Steve, to join me in the set.

First, on Friday 20th November, at the Khareef Festival at DAI Cultural Center in Yarmouk:

And on Saturday the 21st at Qout Market, Sahara Golf Club:

Rolling Stones Sing a Muddy Waters Tune Featuring Buddy Guy

A few days ago at one of their concerts in Milwaukee, The Rolling Stones performed 'Champagne & Reefer', a Muddy Waters classic. Joining them as a special guest was blues legend Buddy Guy (who played and recorded with Muddy many years ago.)

Nice to see the Stones pay tribute to one of their biggest influences!

Post-Gig Blues Report

10 years. 

It was 10 years ago that I performed in Beirut. Why did I take so long to go back and play? Lots of factors really. After all, I was always in a band situation, never a solo performer until only a few years ago. 

The opportunity seemed ripe, considering the amount of work and effort I was putting into this blues thing. How far can someone go with the blues? A genre that continues to dwindle in the overall scheme of things?

I got the approval of Fete de la Musique a month back. It was the comeback I was looking for after a decade of absence from the Lebanese music scene.

The next step would be to assemble a band. Like I normally do things, I have my friends and network of musicians. I was fortunate enough, considering how busy everyone would be on that night (92 bands were playing), I reunited with Toufic who was the drummer with me in the Mojolaters Blues Band before we returned to Lebanon 4 years back.  

Next I had the versatile and laid back Joe on guitars, who was essential in filling both the role of lead and rhythm. 

Given the time constraints and busy schedules, I was not able to get other people on board. A power trio it would have to be.

Under tension and anxiety, and also having an extremely powerful band (Funky Blues Brothers), incidentally fronted by the French Ambassador no less, led me to almost crumble. I mean, these guys have about 30 years of playing experience, not to mention some of the best musicians in Lebanon, and having more members on stage to fill up the sound.

To counter this, I made a rapport with the audience, telling them my story of being here, cracking some jokes here and there.

Our setlist was:

1) Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock N Roll - Muddy Waters

2) My Babe - Little Walter

3) How Blue Can You Get - BB King

4) La Grange - ZZ Top

5) Got My Mojo Workin' - Muddy Waters

My tension eased once the first opening notes were played, and when everything gelled together. By the 3rd song we were in full force. Thankfully we pulled off a great performance and the crowd was very supportive and engaging, especially when they were singing along in "Got My Mojo Workin'.

Thanks to Fete de la Musique and to Beirut for having me again after all these years, to my friends and family who came to the show in support. I'm back in Kuwait now with the blues as I write this, but I hope to be back again soon. 

Weekend Roundup + A Reminder

It's been a busy weekend, so I thought I'd group everything into one post:

First, we start off with some bad news.

1- Ornette Coleman, free jazz legend, dies at the age of 85. 

Ornette Coleman was known to be a breaker of conventions; a man who played a plastic Yamaha alto sax, which is alone a shocker at the time, and performing odd measures, scales, and with more and more freedom within jazz.

His album, The Shape of Jazz to Come, in 1959 was his breakthrough, and went on his never ending search of new sounds until the day he died.

Jazz truly was never the same without him. Here's an old post I wrote about him a while back.

2- My Full Interview with Urban Q8 is Out


I had a great time doing this video with Tarek of Urban Q8. I hope you guy like this video!

3- Only a Week Left for Fete de la Musique!


Remember, next week on 21 June, I will be performing with my blues band in Beirut, at Samir Kassir Square. 

Checkout the full lineup that day, and don't forget to say hi!

Organic Sounds - Tribute to Nepal Concert

I'm Confirmed for Beirut Fête da la Musique!

I received the official word last night; I'l be performing a blues set at Beirut's Fête de la Musique on the 21st of June! The event will take place in various locations around Beirut; my set will be at Samir Kassir Square in Downtown, at 11:20pm.

This will be my first official gig in Beirut as a solo musician, and will also be my first official gig in Lebanon since 2005 (see more about my Beirut music journey here). I have discussed with my old band mates and they will be performing with me on stage, reunited after all this time.

More details will be coming later on; hope to see you there!

Imagination Express: Tarek Yamani Trio, Local Musicians Live in Kuwait

This Thursday, Tarek Yamani, Lebanese jazz extraordinaire, will perform with his trio (Elie Afif / bass and Rony Afif / drums) at the Al-Americani Cultural Center. This event is being managed by Nuqat. 

Supporting him are some of the best local musicians (humble innit):

1) Hussa Al-Humaidhi

2) Amin Fari

3) Basil Al-Hadi

4) Galaxy Juice Band

5) and me, Ali Sleeq

It's a free event, so don't say you have something better to do on a Thursday night!

Happy International Jazz Day!

Today is the official International Jazz Day, so to celebrate, I'll be hearing my playlists all day (I do that everyday but now with emphasis). I live in Kuwait so there's not much jazz going on around here.

If you are in Lebanon check out tonight's gig in Downtown Beirut.

If you want to watch the official Jazz Day concert in Paris, check out the live webcast!

Beirut Speaks Jazz 3rd Edition

The 3rd iteration of the famed 'Beirut Speaks Jazz' festival is coming soon to you!

On May 5, at Music Hall, prepare for a huge night of amazing musicians from across the local spectrum! Visit the official event page [here].

This year the artists will be:

Aziza
Chady Nashef
Edd Abbas (from Fareeq l Atrash)
Issa Ghandour
Poly
Ranine Chaar
Rayess Bek (from Aksser)
Tania Saleh
Wassim Bou Malham (from Who Killed Bruce Lee)
Ziad Ahmadieh

Tarek Yamani: Piano 
Raffi Mandalian: Guitar 
Ruedi Felder: Bass 
Khaled Omran: Bass
Paolo Orlandi: Drums 
Dani Shukri: Drums 


Tickets available at Virgin Ticketing Box Office
http://ticketingboxoffice.com/beirut-speaks-jazz-tickets/event/8063
01 999 666

Zone 1 - Free Seated: 60 000 LBP
Zone 2 - Free Seated: 45 000 LBP

Beirut International Jazz Day 2015

(click to enlarge)

In celebration of this years International Jazz Day, Beirut Souks will host the Beirut chapter on April 30. I wish I could be there to support my friends Ruby Road, and seeing the great Monday and Real Deal Blues Bands. It will be a free event in the heart of Downtown Beirut. 

I urge everyone to go and support the local music scene!

As described by the official Facebook page: 

For the third consecutive year, Beirut joins other cities around the globe in celebrating International Jazz Day under the patronage of the UNESCO. This year, the free event takes places in Youssef El Rami street (Behind the Municipality of Beirut) and showcases the best in local jazz talent.

Lineup:

RUBY ROAD : 7:00pm

RAFFI MANDALIAN JAZZ QUINTET : 8:00pm

MONDAY BLUES BAND : 9:00pm

REAL DEAL BLUES BAND : 10:00pm

XANGO : 11:00pm

IKLIL : 12:00am

Back From the Dubai Show

Every once in a while, there comes this fantastic journey into a new adventure. The stuff you dream about.

This trip, was such an example.

I'm currently on an alcohol withdrawal (thanks Kuwait), and as much as I would love to share the story of my journey, I'm gonna wait until I get my hands on some high quality pictures and videos.

In the meantime I want to thank Zahed Sultan for having me join him on stage, to Anthony, Ronodeep, Kiani, and Jackson, the great team that was sent from different parts of the world and created something beautiful.

Stay tuned!

I'll Be Performing at Dubai Design District; Artists Announced

The Dubai Design District is holding a 3 day public festival, from 2-4 April, to celebrate the cultural diversity of the UAE and the region. It will feature design, art and fashion exhibitions, music shows, and food / beverage showcases.

I will be playing the bass for talented Kuwaiti music artist Zahed Sultan, whose eclectic genre of music and visual effects led him to travel and tour the world, from the USA to Japan and everywhere in between. Our segment is on April 3, 7pm.

Other announced music artists include:

1- Mashrou3 Leila
2- Tania Saleh
3- Bei Ru
4- The Narcicyst
5- Qusai & Malikah
6- Autostrad

and many more still to be confirmed. If you are in Dubai you owe it to yourself to attend this free event, and come and say hi to your favorite bluesman (that's me folks).

See full event details and location [here]

Video: 'That's Alright' - Ali Sleeq w/ Jon Teagarden

I had a most musical weekend; first at the Alwan Festival with Karrouhat Band:

and then Qout Market the next day, where I performed a blues set with special guest Jon Teagarden, a superb guitarist. Check out the video below of 'That's Alright' by Jimmie Rodgers (thanks to Sala6a for the video!)

via @khalidnikon

'Stir It Up' Video From Last Night's Bob Marley Tribute Concert

Last night a tribute concert to Bob Marley took place in Bayt Lothan (Kuwait). Three performing acts each performed a selection of covers and originals. We got together for one big jam of Marley's classic hit 'Stir It Up'.

The performers are: Amin AKA Mr. Fari, Fabrice, and Karrouhat Band (Basel Hadi, Hashim Al-Nasser, Abdulrahman Essa, Alex Abdalian, Ali Sleeq (me), and Fredrico Del Melo). Sound and audio by Sarj.

Thanks to Nour from Get Out Blog for the video!