We recently came across the opportunity to interview Rafik Samman.

This gentleman has had quite a journey through music and we are honored to have gotten a few minutes of his time for this interview.

Rafik is a true international man of music. His studies include:

• a Masters degree in Musicology at University de Montreal.
• choral conducting in France with José Aquino.
• Iranian percussions with Jean Pierlot.
• medieval singing with Sequentia in Cologne, Germany.
• ethnic percussion with Glen Velez.
• classical guitar with Antonin Bartos, John Mills and Eli Kassner.
• voice with Lucette Tremblay.
• african, brazilian and cuban percussions with Luc Boivin.

First and foremost, who are you? Where are you from? And what style of music do you create?

My name is Rafik Samman. I was born in Egypt. I live in Montreal, Canada. My music is influenced by many styles / pop, world, medieval, middle-eastern.

You toured for 7 years with Cirque du Soleil, what part did you play in those performances?

I was the percussionist and vocalist in a nine piece band touring the world/ 52 cities in 7 years.

What are you doing now?

Composing, doing studio work and singing in a church as a professional bass.

What led you down this path of music? You have studied an impressive amount of music under an even more impressive list of mentors…how do you channel all of this into your particular style of composition and playing?

Music was always in my life as far as I can remember/ sang in choirs, played the accordion, the drum set had a band at 15, studied classical guitar then percussions, recorded over 30 cds, played with many bands and ensembles around the world, taught in several music camps percussions, medieval, renaissance and gregorian chant and so on..

What all do you play? Instruments, percusssion, and otherwise? Do you have a favourite?

Djembe, frame drums, darbuka, tambourines, guitar, oud, santur. I enjoy playing frame drums the most.

I noticed your music is spread out on various albums available on iTunes and Amazon. Where is the best place for people to find your music online?

Right now on Reverbnation

How is the Internet helping (or hurting) you promote your music? Are there any challenges you face marketing your particular genre?

It’s helping me. World music is not as popular as pop, rap or r&b.

Do you have any advice for the younger generations looking to study and compose various styles of music from around the world?

Listen to a lot of music/ persian classical, middle-eastern, indian, north african.

Do you have a website? Where is the best place for us to connect with you?

Reverbnation

through my email.

Any last thoughts or shout outs?

I hope you can help me promote my music and I welcome any suggestions.