Omar Almusfi was born in Syria in 1976. From an early age, he showed a proclivity for music. Imitating both his brother and his brother-in-law, Omar taught himself tabla and by the age of eight, his family began to recognize his musical talents. At ten, he won several national competitions at the elementary level. By age thirteen, he was competing above his age level, and began teaching himself to read music and traditional Arabic forms. During this time, Omar also began to perform professionally with different bands and with well-known singers.

Drawn to western styles of music, Omar expanded his repertoire to include the drum kit and began formal lessons rock and funk drumming. After high school, he was accepted into the prestigious Syrian Conservatory of Music and joined the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra. Omar majored in classical music and studied the marimba, vibraphone and timpani in addition to all the traditional Arabic percussion. For more than seven years, he has traveled throughout the Middle East and Europe, performing with the Symphony as well as with various Arabic bands and singers. In between tours, Omar taught at the Syrian Arabic Institute, an academy for young music students, and recorded extensively in the studio. His recordings include everything from the albums of singers and orchestras to soundtracks for movies and theatre.

After graduation, Omar relocated to Chicago to pursue studies in Latin jazz. He performs regularly with Arabic bands at local nightclubs, and in more traditional ensembles at workshops and festivals. In addition, he performed with a group called The Astro Beat Circus that plays an eclectic style of music that ranges from jazz to techno. He plays with several classical Middle-Eastern Ensemble, and recently formed an innovative band, HiJazz. Their CD, Modern Mijanna, showcases Omar's vision of traditional Middle-Eastern melodies; arabic, armenian, and turkish, blended with modern latin jazz and intrumentation. His arrangements are performed by the six members of HiJazz: Kinan Abou Afash, cello and oud; Robert Artinian, clarinet and sax; Brett Row, piano; Patrick William, bass; Heitor Garcias, drums; Omar Al Musfi, percussion; as well as special guest artists.

HiJazz and Omar Al Musfi appreciate your support and will continue to provide the kind of quality entertainment you have come to expect from artists of this caliber.

Heitor Gianizelli Garcia:

Born in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, started his music education in 1983 at the Música de Minas (Milton Nascimento’s music school) also studied music at the Music Conservatory of Minas Gerais in 1984, took private lessons with Don Vaz in Belo Horizonte, and Paschoal Meirelles in Rio de Janeiro.

As a drummer recorded and performed on live T.V. shows, Radio programs, and theater, traveled throughout Brazil working with rock, jazz and popular music groups in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Bahia before moved to Chicago in 1991. Since then has been working also as a percussionist, his studies of Brazilian percussions started in Chicago where he learned how to play most of the percussion instruments on his own but with some ideas from his brother Paulinho Garcia this was what helped him to start a new direction on music that led to his participation with various Jazz and Brazilian Jazz groups in Chicago, among many are Jazzmineiro, Ensemble Kalinda, Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, Macondo Stew and Chicago Samba, also has performed and recorded with many musicians like Paulinho Garcia, Grazyna Auguscik, April Aloisio, Marshall Vente, Linda Tate, Francesco Crosara, Matthew Skoller, Ricardo Lorenz.

Performed on events as Flavio Chamis (Tons of Nature a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim), the inauguration of Chicago’s Millennium Park, the openings ceremonies of 1994 world cup, and also participated of Immigrants Unsettle Solutions a 2 weeks program created by WTTW Chicago public TV that was showed to the entire USA.

His last appearance with Chicago Immigrant Orchestra was at the Symphony Center in Chicago it was a great success. The participation with the instrumental Middle Easter Latin Jazz band Hijazz (Hijaz) is one of his latest achievements which led them to the recording of their first CD, where he incorporated Brazilian and Cuban jazz into the Arabic Jazz. Also is an invited musician of the Joe
Vasconcellos US tours (one of Chile most well known singer/composer in South America) that are always very successful.

The family music connection has been very important for him, having his brother Paulinho Garcia as one of the most respected Brazilian musicians in Chicago has help his carrear to grow, he has participated on the many appearances with his brother on Jazz events like Jazz festivals, TV and clubs concerts.

Robert J. Artinian:

Robert J. Artinian began his musical career with the clarinet at the age of seven. He studied with Walter Wollwage, former second clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, until he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, from Northeastern Illinois University. During his education at Lane Technical High School, Robert performed in the concert band and orchestra, representing his school at annual all-city solo competitions where he continually received highly superior performance ratings. His awards and recognition led him to be accepted by the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Dudley Powers. As a dedicated student of music, Robert’s high school band director, Mr. Maurice Golden honored him with the prestigious John Philip Sousa award.

Upon his graduation from high school, the Union Civic League of Chicago awarded Mr. Artinian with a scholarship to attend the Musical College of Roosevelt University as well as a summer music program at Northwestern University. After his freshman year at Roosevelt University, Robert decided to expand his musical horizon. He enrolled in the Jazz music program at Northeastern Illinois University, under the tutelage of Dr. Aaron Horne. This is where Robert’s hidden passion for the saxophone emanated. Performing with the Northeastern Jazz Ensemble at the Elmhurst College’s Midwest College Jazz Festival, Robert received the distinguished outstanding tenor saxophone award. Further, at the Eighth National Convention, the International Association of Jazz Educators bestowed Mr. Artinian with an award For Outstanding Musicianship in Saxophone. Performing in the United States and international jazz festivals, Robert performed with some of Northeastern’s emerging talents such as the jazz saxophonist the late Art Porter, and bassist for the “Tonight Show”, Kenny Davis.

Today, Mr. Artinian performs locally with an array of bands playing classical, jazz, r&b, and a variety of ethnic music around the windy city. Very recently, he was commissioned to play the theme music for WGN’s pilot television show “DECLASSIFIED”. When he is not performing, Robert is busy transcribing, arranging and composing original music.

Brett Rowe:

www.brettrowe.com 

Patrick Williams:

Bassist Patrick Williams has performed with many artists including:  Tal Farlow, Matt Wilson, the Moody Blues, the Quad-City Symphony,  the Chicago Jazz Composers Collective,  Stephen Stills, Kenny Aronoff, Von Freeman and Louie Bellson.  He maintains an active performing and recording career.  Currently, he can be seen playing bass with the John Erickson Trio, Marques Carroll & Full Set, the Nick Bisesi Quartet, Underwater People, The Nia Quintet, and Omar al Musfi & HiJazz.  A native Iowan, Patrick received his Bachelor of Music degree from University of Iowa.  He has studied bass with Eldon Obrecht, Diana Gannett and Anthony Cox.   He lives in Berwyn, Illinois with his wife Kara and their dog Sammy.

Kinan Abou-afach:

www.kinanmusic.com