Issam Houshan

On a June day a talent was born, it was Issam. Issam showed his love to music and particularly Tablah at an early age. His potential was discovered by few world renowned Tablah players whom Issam had a chance to learn from. While developing his own style in the musical field, he pursued an education earning a Masters Degree in Mathematics from the University Of Damascus. Rhythm and equations dominated his life. Issam acquired a vast well of knowledge about the middle eastern music and rhythms by associating with different music professionals in different regions in the Middle East. Issam established a new academic approach to the Tablah when he taught at the Music Institute In Damascus for nine years. Issam became very well known in the Middle East that gave him the honor to play for some of the most famous star singers and belly dancers. To name few he played for Molhem Barakat , Issam Rajji, Samir Yazbeck, Mohammad Gammal, Rageb Alama, Tony Hanna, Azzar Habib and Joseph Azzar. In 1983 Issam represented the Dancing Folklore Culture Group in London with Asala Nasri; followed similarly in 1985 and 1987 in Moscow and Algeria respectively.

Because of Issam's strong academic knowledge and his superior talent, he was chosen to write music for multiple musical shows, TV commercials and theater plays. He was distinguished for writing the music for two popular theater plays Kalegola and The Story of Jason and Meedia.

Issam is an impressive player on stage as well as in recording studios. He has a unique characteristic, he plays with the same quality and energy level at the beginning of the concert as at the end. In the year 2000, Issam was chosen to play with supper star Sting in the Western tour of the US. Sting was impressed with Issam's ability to record in the studio first take.

Greatly honored, Issam played with Sting In live concerts in LA, Irvine, San Diego, Las Vegas and on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Issam enjoyed the tour with Sting because he had a great experience incorporating the Eastern Tabla into the Western music. In a conversation during the flight to Las Vegas, Sting encourage and advised Issam to make his first CD. This CD has many different facets of music. It is made for those who enjoy dancing professionally as well as those who love the music of Tabla. The title song " Tabel Ya Issam" and " Azziza" can be and excellent choice to open a belly dancing show. The "Accordion Baladi" can be at the heart of a dancing show being the essence of the Middle Eastern Dance. Issam created tow exotic and exciting drum solos by carefully chosing many beat combinations. Issam put in three other songs that hold special meaning for him because they are inspired by the greates singers of all times Oum Kolthoum, Abe Al Halim and Warda. For those who love Debka, there is a song that issam had a great deal of joy while playing it. Issam hopes that all enjoy his first CD and that it is a sample of what is to come in his next CD which he is in the process of making already.