Bassem Akiki Concerts

Experience Bassem Akiki

Bassem Akiki is a Lebanese-born, New York-based percussionist and composer renowned for his innovative approach to traditional Middle Eastern rhythms and their fusion with contemporary jazz and electronic music. He began his musical journey studying *darbuka* and *riq* with master percussionists in Lebanon before relocating to the US to pursue formal musical training at Berklee College of Music.

Akiki’s style is characterized by complex polyrhythms, virtuosic technique, and a deeply emotive quality. He doesn’t simply replicate traditional sounds; he deconstructs and reimagines them, often incorporating live looping and effects processing. He has collaborated extensively with artists across genres, including Tigran Hamasyan, Rudresh Mahanthappa, and Vijay Iyer, appearing on numerous critically acclaimed albums.

Akiki's debut album, *Parallelism* (2018), received widespread praise for its originality and technical brilliance. He's a frequent performer at international jazz festivals and venues like the Newport Jazz Festival and the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Beyond performance, Akiki is an educator, leading workshops globally on Middle Eastern percussion and improvisation. His work consistently bridges cultural divides through the universal language of music.