Upon returning from a six month musical exploration of the Nile River Valley and the Sinai mountains, the vision to bring Middle Eastern / Arabic melodies and rhythms interpreted through the voice of American jazz became increasingly compelling. The original components of the group began with two violins, an acoustic bass, and two percussionists. As the magical potency of the music grew, the group soon morphed into its present incarnation. A revolving door of extremely talented musicians, with a willingness to push themselves and their audience to unforeseen places, fused traditional Arabic music, classical Indian concepts of composition, North African rhythmic grooves, and pure American "old-school Funk" to produce the unique soundscape that is Jaafar.
The Bass player, producer, and leader, Troy Cole, has performed with the popular funk-jazz band P.L.D., opening up for such acts as Charlie Hunter, and Derek Trucks . "I try to incorporate the Middle Eastern techniques of melodic improvisation with the Jazz styles of John Coltrane, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jonas Hellborg, Shakti, etc."

The percussion players' global influences vary from West African to Turkish to Indian to the incorporation of a full Western-style drum kit.

Naji Hilal performs on oud, ney, and flamenco guitar.

We have performed as a septet, as solo bass, and every possibility in between

This was our 1st performance as JAAFAR appearing at the Green Bean Cafe in Greensboro NC on June 29 2002. A sextet featuring Mike and Paul on percussion(against the wall), Tom Spampinato on drum kit, Troy Cole on acoustic bass guitar, Pat Madison on acoustic guitar, and Wil Elder III on saxophone.

We received a warm response and got a great recording.

JAAFAR as a trio setting at the Open Eye Cafe in Carrboro NC, November 1st 2002. Troy on bass, Sandy Blocker on percussion (teaches of west african, mali muisc at The School of the Arts in Winston Salem, student of Glen Velez for 7 years in NY,owner of Talking Drums , involved in VOODOO JAZZ QUARTET, MYSTIC BALIFONE ENSEMBLE.etc.), accompined by Brad Newal on guitar and violin(performs in many different formats: classical guitar duo, standard jazz projects, pop / rock band 8 EYES, engineer, producer, and owner of recording studio "Groovy Cellar").

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Electric Project

Acoustic Project

We have in the works a "dualistic project". Much like the Universe and all its aspects, there is dualism, 2sides. We feel that to fully be capable of experiencing and expressing the interaction of within / without through JAAFAR, we should accomodate a oneness. There is a spiritual, meditative, "mellow", middle eastern philosophy in the music; this is represented by our "Acoustic form". There is also a raw power of raw beauty, energetic, explosive, and yet sensitive ; this comes through as the "Electric form". We would not be complete if we could not acknowledge the exsistence of both that actually create a bigger ONE.

Well, we started off with a few rehearsals in June of 2002, and began performing out almost every weekend until the end of January. Aside from the occasional holiday interuptions, JAAFAR has been keeping pretty busy. We have done several recording sessions since October 2002. The plan for February was to mix down and finish up the studio projects- so we can start pushing more music out there, rehearsals so we can knock out a handful of more new material, and also getting more shows .

Jan.12,2003

Archive of past performances

Kimio,Mohammed,Ahmed,Troy showing off JAAFAR T-shirts in Cairo Egypt 2004

On March 22nd 2003, we beagn a very hectic day by being invited to perform on the Duke University radio station WXDU 88.7 at 11:00am (thanks to Marty). After a blistering 2 sets, we were scheduled to show up at a benifit in Asheboro, but that fell through at the last minute. We ended our evening by performing at The Green Bean Cafe in Greensboro. We seem to play alot there, and they seem to like us enough to keep having us back. That night we had SONER( a Turkish musician of excellent skill, and taste) on oud, dumbek, rehbab, ney...the list goes on and on; GUHL on oud, dumbek, SANDY BLOCKER on khanjeera, udu, and other percussions, accompined by TROY on the acoustic bass. The more we played, the more intense it got. Saturday morning on March 22nd 2003, JAAFAR performed our first live radio brodcast. Marty the DJ for WXDU 88.7 in Durham NC, was very gracious in allowing us to take over the air waves for that one short hour. After a few cups of coffee, we managed to fit everybody in the small DJ cubicle booth, and began to let the music pour forth. Guhl performed on the Oud, Darbuka, and KhanjeeraPat Madison is seen here on the acoustic guitarChris Conley performed on the Djembe and assorted percussionTroy Cole on the acoustic bass

Sunday April 6th finds us at the DE LA LUZ PERFORMANCE SPACE at Temple Ball Gallery in Carrboro NC. We opened up for RASINHILL. It is in honor to be sharing the stage with NATHAN LOGAN on drums, VISHNU on electric piano, NED PERCIVAL on percussion,and PAT MADISON on electric double neck guitar. This was truly a very nice set; short but quite intense and interesting. Pat burned the double-neck down!! But I felt Nathan stole the show. Excellent drumming to the max. Of course everybody played beautifully in that awesome but way too short of an opening set. It was a great vibe. read a review from jambase.com

April 6th , we opened for Rasinhill an "alternative jazz" trio from Conneticut. We opened up with a Jonas Hellborg composition ":Death That Sleeps In Them", then we played "Divine Duality", into Mahavishnu's "Meeting of the Spirits", and closing with "Ifrika". A very short set indeed, but we blazed through it. It was one of our more stellar performance

Saturday May 24th- we were very happy to perform once again on WXDU 88.7, the Duke University radio station in Durham . Marty has been a great help for JAAFAR. In this performance we had Chris Conley on djembe, Vishnu on piano, Naji Hilal on oud, and Troy on acoustic bass. Then later that evening , JAAFAR played at BAKUS (a mediterranean / spanish -vibe-wine bar/ -tapas restaurant) on 9th Street in Durham from 7pm-10pm. we performed as an acoustic trio featuring Troy Cole on acoustic bass, Chris Conley on percussion, and Naji Hilal on oud, ,ney, percussion, and at the end of the 2nd set we were joined by Soner on percussion and Antonio on claps and percussion. It was an incredible show. Full of energy and we all seemed to really enjoy ourselves all the way.

-PICTURES,MP3'S Now*

May 24th 2003- this was our second time on the air at WXDU radio station in Durham. I felt Vishnu(on piano) really added a whole new dimension with his playing this morning. He is always amazing me. Naji Hilal (on oud) his playing was so tasteful and graceful. These 2 guys really made the quartet speak. Then we moved on to perfom at BAKUS on 9th st. that evening as an acoustic trio-Chris Conley (djembe,conga), Naji Hilal (oud,ney,percussion), Troy Cole (acoustic bass). Our good friends and brother musicians Soner and Antonio showed up near the end of the 2nd set and joined in making some incredible polyrhythems and great music over all Check out the MP3's.

JULY 2003 Saturday 19th - "Fox and Hound"- Yet another astounding gig. JAAFAR a middle eastern jazz arabic funk fusion ensemble, sandwiched between an old timey bluegrass band and a pop/rock band. Not quite sure what to expect from the audience; I think I was as amazed at them as they were of us. They loved it! That night consisited of Naji Hilal on oud and flamenco guitar, Chris Conley on djembe, Troy Cole acoustic bass, and Antonio Arce on drums. JAAFAR blazed through the "classics" -Hakim, Ifrika, al malik al maluk, al baqara, 39 Lashes, etc.We had a very fun time playing that night, and I think the audience had a fun time too. We hope to have some MP3's available soon. - JAAFAR-Fox and Hound , Cary NC July 19 2003

June 21st- MP3'sOur summer soltice was quite interesting, It started out with JAAFAR performing in Cary at a fundraiser. It was broadcast live over the radio on WRDU 106.1 fm. Vishnu on electric piano, Chris Conley on djembe, and congas, Troy on acoustic bass, and Antonio on drums. With no one quite sure what to expect (we were added on at last minute), I think we pleasently surprised not only the dj's, and the crowd forming, but also ourselves. It's nice to know you can take it to the next level when you need to. That evening we travelled to Greensboro to peform at the Green Bean. This time it was Vishnu-electric piano, Guhl-oud, khanjeera,darbuka, and Troy-acoustic bass. What a performance. It was a nice and again unexpected surprise. We were happy and the listeners showed it as well.

June 21st 2003-Fundraiser in Cary NC. Troy Being interviewed by local dj "Bob the Blade" after a live radio broadcast on WRDU 106.1fm. JAAFAR was a last minute addition to the fundraiser (for Schools that lose music programs due to cuts in school funds). We opened the day at 10:30am with a blistering and yet somehow unexpected set. Antonio Arce on drums, Chris Conley-djembe, congas, Vishnu Gangadaran on electric piano, and Troy Cole on acoustic bass. Everyone seemed throuroughly surprised and pleased with our performance. Can you imagine: a middle eastern jazz arabic funk fusion ensemble on a classic rock station . MP3'S

July 17th- We were very honored to have been specificly requested to perform for ADF (the American Dance Festival) party. Once again Bakus was our venue, and we did a 9pm-1am couple of sets. It was a very energetic evening, and after having a few weeks off, it was as if we were taking our time and having fun getting familar with each other again. . Antonio joined us on drums, Naji on oud and flamenceo guitar, Guhl on darbuka and khanjeera, and of course Soner popped in and graced us with his darbuka attack skills. Being the end of the ADF 6 week festival, some of the percussion players asked to sit in and made our quartet a sextet but it sounded much larger. As I was told later by one of the people at the party- "...even when the bass and oud dropped out, with 3 other percussion players, it still sounded like a full band". MP3's coming soon

June 27th-Friday night: The weekend started out with a special Bakus gig. It was full of energy, and the audience kept feeding us more and more. In the second set, we were joined by Blaze (owner of Music Explorium) on violin. Excellent performance.

June 28th-Saturday morning: Naji, Antonio, and Troy started the day out promoting the weekly Bakus gig by doing a live radio performance broadcast on WXDU 88.7fm . We had a great time playing new material, talking with Marty the DJ.

June 28th- Saturday Night: JAAFAR continued to perform our weekly Bakus gig. Antonio on drum kit, Naji Hilal-oud, troy cole-acoustic bass. There was some good music made.

June 29th- Sunday night: De La Luz Performance Space. Jaafar opened up for CAVEMAN. This was one of the electric projects. Featuring Pat Madison-electric guitar, antonio Arce-drums, Vishnu-electric piano, Troy- acoustic bass.We opened up with "Miles Beyond" (a Mahavishnu Orchestra piece), moved into a handful of new material, really good moments were experienced. It was also a good learning experience on many levels. MP3's coming soon

August 6th 2003. Around 10:00pm, My wife Susan Cole was Killed in a car accident. A pick-up truck crossed the center line and she died instantly. 4 cars were involved and she was the only one killed. I haven't had a chance to get all the details yet, but there will be more info soon. We are all very shocked, sad, and beside ourselves with pain. She was one of the most awesome people I ever had the chance to be with. She will be greatly missed.

August 30th 2003- Another full day for JAAFAR. We started it off with a radio performance on WXDU 88.7. Vishnu-piano, Antonio- drums, and Troy on bass. We really cooked! Later that night we performed at Caffe Driade. The stage is set outside, and allows for a unique intimate experience with all the crickets and insects singing along with the music. A very beautiful night. And of course all this was preceded by a performance at BAKUS on Friday night. MP'3s COMING SOON

August 7th- The Pittsboro General Store gig had to be cancelled due to the tragic death of my wife Susan.

August 8th- Our weekly Bakus gig had to be cancelled due to the tragic death of my wife Susan.

August 30th 2003 - Today we started at WXDU radio station for another live radio broadcast. Antonio Arce on drums, Vishnu Gangadharan on electric piano, Troy Cole on acoustic bass with our good friend Marty as the DJ. One of our truly stellar performances. MP3's available soon. -Later that night we performed at Caffe Driade in Chapel Hill. Not only do they serve awesome coffee (Broad Street Coffee), but their performance space is outside nestled in the woods but yet surrounded by patio seating. Before we knew it, the placed was packed, and had a very intimate feel. Vishnu on electric piani, Naji Hilal on oud and flamenco guitar, Antonio on drums, Troy on acoustic bass. We could see the lightning in the background, and luckily we were able to finish and pack up before the rain hit. And we got a great recording of it. Soon to be available on MP3's.

September 2003-This month was mostly Bakus performances. We perfomed at Temple Ball(9/14), and Pittsboro General Store(9/11- MP3's Coming Soon), but Bakus got our regular output of improvised music. We had some good times playing music this month, and of course we got some really good recordings. Over the next few months, we will be releasing a series of new live recordings. STAY TUNED!

September 28th 2003

Carrboro Music Fest-

De La Luz Performance Space at Temple Ball Gallery

What an incredible night. Truly one of our more stellar performances. With Guhl on double neck electric guitar. vishnu on electric piano, Antonio on drums, Troy on Bass. and Ned on percussion. We performed our greatest hits to a nice growing audience. At the end of the show, I was quite surprised at the turn out.

October 18th TEMPLE BALL GALLERY. Tonight we performed as a trio- Guhl on doubleneck electric guitar, Antonio Arce on drum, and Troy Cole on acoustic bass. Another open experimental evening at Temple Ball. This was the last show at De La Luz Performance Space of the year.

Novemeber 2003

Arts Center Carrboro NC. This was the culmination of a very long journey and hard work. The evening was broken into an acoustic set, and electric set. Vishnu on piano, naji on oud, soner darbuka and balima, sandy djembe, guhl on guitar and oud and khanjeera, Troy on bass, and Antonio on drums. Special visit by Blaise on violin. what a great show. We were hoping to turn this into a DVD.

March 2004

we played at the Sakori Graas roots music festival. It was very different to return from egypt where JAAFAR was treated very professionaly, to a "hippie-fest" where the sounsman left us, the next band pushed us off early, and then expected ti ude our equipment, very unorganized.JAAFAR was joined by Matt Parker on guitar.

April 1 2004

Sakia Culture wheel

The guys at this place are the best. very nice and helpful. This was the 1st performance. i felt things went very smooth. i am honored to have shared the stage with these Egyptian musicians.

April 5 2004

Cairo Jazz Club

This evening we incorporated a drummer. This place was small like a jazz club, but we also made some great music. the food was good, and so was the company.

April 12 2004

After 8

A rest/bar, we played in the corner. it was a crazy evening of mis communication,but we managed to do a nice show. The longer we played, the more people came in. i was honored to meet Fati Salama, famous Egyptian musician.

August 6th 2004

This date marks the anniversary of the death of my wife Susan Elizabeth Porucznik Cole. JAAFAR gave a special performance at the Carrboro Arts Center. Chris Conley on drum set, Naji on oud, Peter Merks -tabla,djembe, darbuka, vishnu on piano,troy on bass, and we were later joined by Andy Mckee on sax. We struggled through a handful of new material with new personel, but al in all it was a nice evening; a nice tribute to susan. WE LOVE YOU SUSAN...WHERE EVER YOU ARE.

August 20th 2004

The Durham Music fest turned out to be quite a nice time. we scheduled for the 10pm slot at Jo and Joes's in Downtown Durham. The place was packed and we gave one of our more experimental but also one of our best shows.anotonio on drums, Blaise on violin,clarinet, percussive things, troy on bass, peter on percussion, an electric guitar player, and a sax,flute player. the 1 1/2 set was energetic and well recieved.

August 10th 2004

JAAFAR performed as a trio this night at ooh la latte; a caffe in durham nc-not a great name, though.we had antonio on drums, matt parker on guitar and udu, and troy on bass. it was a very experimental evening. and there was actually more people there than i thought would be for a tuesday evening.we had a good time weaving in and out of the JAAFAR repetoire. i think it was obvious we were having fun.

August 21st 2004

Another performance at the Pittsboro General Store. We were invited back and JAAFAR did what we always do, a surprise performance. This evening was just a tabla and bass duet. Troy and peter. we played softly but intense for almost 2 hours straight.again there was more people there and that stayed throught the duration. i was surprised...in a good way.