John is an experienced and accomplished tabla and Arabic keyboard player.  Born in Lebanon he is now based in Swindon, Wiltshire where he runs his own carpentry and building business.

John holds drumming workshops all over the country teaching technique and the rhythms used in Arabic music.  He can provide drums when necessary. He is also in great demand to perform at haflas where he plays the tabla, oud and the Arabic keyboard providing live music for the whole evening.  Popular are a tabla workshop followed by a hafla where the students from the workshop are able to perform with John and show off their newly learned skills.  Such events have taken place for teachers Alison Frankhum in Loughborough and Maria D’Silva in Leicester

John works regularly with JWAAD teacher Nikki Livermore.  Together they teach tabla solo workshops – Nikki teaching the dancing and John providing the musical expertise.  Workshops have taken place throughout the country including Weymouth, Cardiff, Witney and Fantasia and they are also available for performances at haflas.  John and Nikki now organise regular Arabic disco nights in Carterton Oxfordshire where dancers can come along and shimmy the night away and drummers can drum or play different instruments along with John.  The discos take place every 6 weeks and all levels of dancers and drummers are welcome.  The entrance fee of £6.00 and soon similar events will be held in Oxford.

John has drummed on stage for international dancer Maria D’Silva at Fantasia in Fulham and provided the live music for Maria’s hafla and drum workshop in Leicester.

In Bristol John regularly accompanies renowned dancer Jacqui Jamal.  Together they have performed at Majma in Glastonbury, the Bristol Community Festival at Ashton Court, Eastern Promise at Swindon Dance Studio, Brighton Orient, and at The Glastonbury Pop Festival.  Television appearances include DIY SOS on BBC1 and Bristol Weekend on HTV.

John has provided the live entertainment  for many years at the annual Abingdon hafla organised by Loreley Rice. He plays the keyboard and tabla at this event and enjoys the company of some of his favourite dancers Jo, Sue, Rita, Nikki and Loreley.

John works with many dancers of all ages including the stars of tomorrow.  Here are some  rising stars - Julia Livermore, Helen Sleiman and Annie Livermore– you saw them  here first!!