Musicians who have graced our path

 

J A A F A R - A Funk-Fusion Eastern inspired Jazz ensemble, with Robert Troy Cole guiding the cast into exotic funk territories on lead-bass. JAAFAR takes jazz, middle-eastern and Indian style improvisation into new funk elements, which transcend categories, crossing boundaries beyond all horizons.

Bandleader & lead bassist Robert Troy Cole embarked on a musical & spiritual journey through Egypt in 2000. While immersed in the local culture, an intersection crossbreeding ancient memories with modern shadows, Troy explored musical territory that combined his love of American Jazz improv & Funk Fusion with traditional Middle Eastern musical themes. On many occasions Troy has returned to Cairo, Egypt (2003-2007) to perform with outstanding local Egyptian talent, and bring the message of unity through music.This is the unique soundscape of Jaafar.

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MUSICIAN'S OF JAAFAR

	Robert Troy Cole – Bass. Traveling and performing in Egypt, working with a Turkish musical troupe-"Soner Cicek Music and Dance Ensemble", West African Mali music-"Tasuma Jon", "Voodoo Jazz Quartet", and performing as a solo bassist.
	Naji Hilal - A master musician from Lebanon. Oud, ney, violin and viola, flamenco guitar, accordion, darbuka, these are the few instruments he has amazed us with so far. He is known as a composer, producer, and singer. He now resides in Raleigh.
	Antonio Arce - A natural on the drums. The fluidity that comes out of this guy... so many styles played so flawlessly. Antonio hails from Chile by way of Washington State. He attended Duke University and has performed with Paul Jeffery’s Jazz band, Branford Marsalis, John Brown, and local funk R&B groups, always a steady face in the Durham jazz and "whatever music" scene. A rare treat to find such a talented and equally nice musician in the NC area.
	Vishnu Gangadharan - Where to begin. Yet another example of inner beauty of the spirit manifesting itself through music. Vishnu perorms electric piano with JAAFAR. This guy truly does it all- Zappa cover bands, classical, funky funk, jazz(studied under Paul Jeffery’s at Duke University)... just about anything you give him. We have been greatly blessed to have his accompaniment.
	Peter Merkx - darbuka, tabla, cajon, conga, and djembe, bringing with him flavors from every continent. Peter performs with the Duke Djembe Ensemble, a West African percussion group playing rhythms from Mali, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Peter has performed with other artists including The Duke Afro-Cuban Ensemble, Wade Baca (Oud, Flamenco guitar), the Blue Tribe Drummers (African Percussion troupe), The Beat (Egyptian Bellydance). Merkx has studied Arabic, West African, North Indian (Hindustani), and Latin percussion from teachers Aloke Dutta (tabla solo), Bradley Simmons (conga, djembe), Ibrahima Camara (djembe, sabar, djun djun), Jerry Leake (tabla), Jesse Graham (darbuka), Polly Tapia Ferber (darbuka), and Sissoko Cheick Adama (djembe).
	Guhl - A native of NC. His many talents include percussion-frame drums, khanjeera, darbuka, congas, balima, oud, guitar. He has performed with several "world music" projects, and traditional Turkish ensembles.
	Chris Conley - The most professional drummer I've worked with. His styles cover it all. He is in the pocket. He came to NC from Pennsylvania then Manhattan in a funk/pop band VITAMIN J . After they disbanded, his name became synonymous with "perfect for the job". When he can, he performs now with JAAFAR. He has also shared the stage with the Yardbirds and Animals Reunion, various R&B, folk, and rock bands; extremely talented.
	Marco Buongiorno Nardelli – A “Renaissance man” in his own right, composer and theoretical physicist. Flute and saxophone player from Rome, Italy. His broad musical interests span from the baroque repertoire to jazz, contemporary and electronic music. Educated as both a musician and a physicist (PhD, Condensed Matter Theory, 1993), he holds a BM in Music Theory and Composition. He also plays in the Raleigh Civic Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. He is currently associate professor in the Department of Physics at North Carolina State University, where he teaches a course on "Music and Science of Sound ".
	Jefferson Dalby – A ballet and modern dance accompanist at North Carolina School of the Arts, Fort Worth Ballet, Boston Ballet, and White Summer Dance Festival. Recently, Jefferson has performed with the Drifters, the Coasters, the Platters, the Jazzphibians, Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians, and is a member of the ADF faculty.
	Dave Brown - Has been playing guitar since he was 12, self taught and versed in many styles of music; bluegrass, blues, the funk, fusion, jazz, old-time, reggae, rock, roots, world. Performed with An Evening With Wade-acoustic folk, Satori – ambient soundscapes, Groove Habit – funk pop, Mosaic Sky – jam band, Erratica – alt rock, Dread'n'Baldhead - acoustic rock, and the Latecomers - rock. When not performing he's sound engineered shows for such acts as Jonas Hellborg Trio, GZA the Genius D.J. Mugs, Knocked Down Society, P.O.S., Pietasters,and many others.

Jeff Sipe (apt. Q 258) - One of today’s top drummers. You might know of him from Aquarium Rescue Unit, Leftover Salmon, Jonas Hellborg-Shawn Lane-Jeff Sipe Trio, Jazz Is Dead, Phil Lesh & Friends, Trey (from Phish), Alex Machacek & Matt Garrison, Derek Trucks, Jeff Coffin, to name a few.

	Brad Newell - Guitar, Violin, mandolin; classical / flamenco duo, jazz, soundtrack recordings, pop/rock, bluegrass...This guy can do it all. As a well-established musician and composer, Brad's diversity of talent and experience contribute to many excellent performances. He is also a graduate from the acclaimed Berkley School of Music in Boston, studied at The North Carolina School of the Arts, & UNC in Greensboro. Brad is known as a great producer, recording engineer, teacher, and multi- instrumentalist.