Marwan Tabla/Darbuka/Doumbek Percussionist

Introduction: Welcome and thank you for stopping by my page. Without sugarcoating or anything, I’m simply a natural-born tabla and “doumbek” player and composer. I’ve been playing the tabla ever since I could move my fingers. I’ve learned playing the tabla throughout my entire life, being exposed to so many professional and the not so professional players, so I sort of seen it all. I have to admit though that being born and raised in the streets of Cairo, Egypt, made me who I’m today. Especially in a neighborhood like Embaba which I still take a huge pride in, where every day, there was a different wedding party waiting to happen in the streets and there was me that young kid looking at nothing but the tabla player and his hands. Coming to the states at the age 14 has also influenced me in so many ways. I was exposed to all other kinds of music than the middle eastern ones which broadened up my perceptive and knowledge of music in general. At this point, I discovered the beauty of percussion and beats from all sorts of music and saw the common ground that unite so many people through beats. I’ve been playing all over Cairo for Egyptian and non-Egyptian audience, integrating middle eastern beats into rock and dance rhythms, and now New York City, my second home. I have been playing and mixing tabla beats to dance tracks and even with samba dancing which is an amazing experience watching people from the opposite sides of the planet enjoying one beat. However, just playing the tabla solo or for a belly dancing performance is just priceless. It’s any tabla player’s fantasy and joy to see people watching him up close clapping and dancing to every "dom" and "tek" he makes. New York City has no idea what’s going to hit it, because I won’t stop till everyone jumps out of their seats and move. Marwan “The Teacher” Through the years, I’ve met a lot of people from all over the world who have been fascinated by tabla. I can’t blame them; it’s a magical instrument that talks straight to the heart. That’s always my approach in sharing the experience with others. If you have a percussion sense in you, then you already know how to play tabla. My philosophy in teaching is way beyond knowing and mastering the basic middle eastern rhythms; I want to be able to relate and play along to any( I mean any beat) you hear. I always say “if you’re not having fun, you ain’t doing it right,” so be ready to play solo anytime. I love doing my ultimate, lifelong passion and talent to not just entertain, but also engage people. Through music and drumming this amazing instrument, I get to express myself as a person and also communicate my creative vibes to move, influence, touch, delight, and definitely leave an impression. Middle eastern music is such a rich sensual music, especially the percussive part that is so transcending. It is used in almost all main stream western types of music as well. I teach private sessions in all levels. I also use music in intermediate & advanced levels. I live in Rutherford, NJ. My rates are as follows: Intro 60 min session: $75 2 sessions ($70 each): $140 4 sessions ($60 each): $240 6 sessions ($55 each): $330 I also involve my students in any musical event I throw or collaborate in. Best of luck with everything