Albums

  • Gravity of Love (2016)

    Gravity of Love (2016)

    • Nominated for the Grammy Rock Album of the Year in 2016!
    • Brothers of the Baladi celebrates their 40th Anniversary with the release of their 12th album, Gravity of Love.  This album proves that there's plenty of musical sharpness and hunger in their mix of Middle Eastern musical influences and Western rock.  Featuring the band's first use of electronics and programming, the band made a conscious decision to push themselves and create something that really draws together musical cultures.
       
    • Featured Artists
    • Michael Beach: Lead Vocals, Doumbek, Zarb, Eddie Kirkjan Dumbeg, Mizmar, Zurna, Midjwiz, Nay, Riq, Tar, Davul, and Percussion
    • J. Michael Kearsey: Vocals, Fender Jazz Bass, Percussion, and Islik Sesi
    • Clark Salisbury:  Vocals, Oud, Saz, Guitar, Dobro, Charango, Fretless Bass, Electronics and Programming
    • Charles Pike: Vocals, Percussion, and Drum Kit
     
    • Guest Artists:
    • Daniel Eshoo:  Kanoon on Sevgilim
    • Paul Beck:  Cymbalon on Saba Samir
     
    • Track List:
    1. Piece of the Rhyme
    2. Mavi Mavi
    3. Peace is the Power
    4. Sevgilim
    5. ¿Dónde están ahora?
    6. Saba Samir
    7. Only You (for Jude)
    8. One Rainy Wish
    9. When You Dance
    10. Gravity of Love
    Album Details
  • Just Do What’s Right (2008)

    Just Do What’s Right (2008)

    • The band's Grammy-nominated cross-cultural musical expression of peace and love, featuring a fresh, contemporary sound. Includes “Baladized” classics such as Stephen Stills' For What it's Worth, Chris Rea's Nothing to Fear, and Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World, as well as fresh takes on traditional Middle Eastern and World music.
       
    • Featured Artists:
    • Michael Beach: vocals, Arabic tabla, zarb, riq, def, mezhar, bendir, mizmar, midjwiz, zils, timbales, qarabib, castanets
    • J. Michael Kearsey: vocals, bass, guitar, percussion
    • Geoff George: vocals, keyboards, piano, guitar
    • Mark Giles: vocals, drums
    • Daniel Eshoo: baglama saz, oud, baglama, hurdy gurdy
    • Ishmael: kanoon
    • John Smith: jimbush, guitar
    • Kerry Movassagh: guitar
    • Brenda Erickson, Youssef Boutros: violin, vocals
    • Eddie Parente: violin
    • Connie Bierbach: vocals
    • Lila Perry: vocals, zaghareet
    • Belinda Underwood: vocals
    • Richard Hankey: santoor
    • Bruce Robertson: drums, timbales, electronics
    Album Details
  • Presence of the Past (2005)

    Presence of the Past (2005)

    • Celebrating 30 years as a band, featuring Arabic, Turkish, Armenian & original classics.
       
    • Featured Artists:
    • Michael Beach
    • J. Michael Kearsey
    • Ishmael
    • Boujemma Razgui
    • Stephen Skaggs
    • Brenda Erickson
    • Geoff George
    • Daniel Eshoo
    Album Details
  • Hands of a Thousand Dances (2003)

    Hands of a Thousand Dances (2003)

    • Band leader Michael Beach's Solo CD, featuring many different traditional and nontraditional drum pieces, as well as a few wonderful melodic surprises.
       
    • Featured Artist
    • Michael Beach, vocals, doumbek, Arabic tabla, riq, def, davul, argool, zils, drum kit, keyboard, percussion
     
    Album Details
  • Hope (2002)

    Hope (2002)

    Many inspired Middle-Eastern pieces. Joining the Brothers are renowned performers John Bilezikjian, Sulieman "El Coyote" Feldthouse, and Stephen Skaggs, along with Michael Beach, J. Micheal Kearsey, Geoff George, Dennis Elmer, Brad Rapp, and Bruce Robertson. ORDER NOW Featured Artists
    • Michael Beach, lead vocals, Arabic tabla, dolalla, doumbeg, riq, def, davul
    • J.Michael Kearsey, electric bass, vocals
    • Geoff George, keyboards, vocals
    • Dennis Elmer, drums
    • Brad Rapp, guitars
    • John Bilezikjian, oud
    • Sulieman "El Coyote" Feldthouse, violin, jimbush
    • Stephen Skaggs, oud
    • Cheb Djamel, vocals
    • Bruce Robertson, drums
    Track List 1. Guardian (American / Kurdish Rock) 2. Foq Ennakhal (Arabic Love Song Sung in English & Arabic) 3. Habibi - Nour Al Ain (Famous Arabic Pop Love Song) 4. Laz (Armenian / Turkish Dance Song) 5. Ah Nada Nada (Oh Nada ! Sung in Arabic & English) 6. In The Temporal (Slow Dreamy Middle Eastern Rock) 7. Raqs Al Beach (From the Hands and Drums of Michael Beach) 8. Chapkun Chapkun (You are Such a Flirt!) 9. Yesilim (My Green Dressed Sweetheart) 10. Siroon Achcheik (My Sweet Girl) 11. Salla Sana (Wave you Hand My Love) 12. Noura Noura (Noura My Love) 13. Jerusalem (Bring Back the Dream - Jerusalem) Samples <iframe width="100%" height="20" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/13455689&amp;color=ff5500&amp;inverse=false&amp;auto_play=false&amp;show_user=true"></iframe> <iframe width="100%" height="20" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/13456978&amp;color=ff5500&amp;inverse=false&amp;auto_play=false&amp;show_user=true"></iframe> <iframe width="100%" height="20" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/13457033&amp;color=ff5500&amp;inverse=false&amp;auto_play=false&amp;show_user=true"></iframe>
    Album Details
  • A Time of Peace (1999)

    A Time of Peace (1999)

    • Christmas Songs, Middle-Eastern Instruments. An instrumental collection of 15 Christmas songs performed on traditional acoustic Middle Eastern instruments: kanoon, ney, oud, bouzouk, zurna, darbuka/tabla, zarb, riq, def & davul. An album in the true spirit of the Holidays.
       
    • Featured Artists
    • Michael Beach, darbuka, doumbek, zarb, zurna, riq, davul, tar, kashiklar
    • Ishmael, kanoon
    • Stephen Skaggs, oud
    • Steve Flynn, ney
    • J. Michael Kearsey, acoustic fretless bass
    Album Details
  • Heart of the Beast (1998)

    Heart of the Beast (1998)

    • Marking the Brothers of the Baladi's turn to electric and eclectic World Music, including dashes of Latin, Reggae, Blues and Afropop mixed with Middle-Eastern styles, plus updated, rocked-out versions of folk songs from Turkey, Lebanon, Persia and Yorkshire. Includes the band's take on the Yardbirds' Over Under Sideways Down.
       
    • Featured Artists
    • Michael Beach lead vocals, Arabic tabla, doumbeg, mizmars, riq, def, drum kit, timbales, congas, bongos, marimba, tambourine, zils
    •  J. Michael Kearsey, producer, lead vocals, bass guitar, keyboards, percussion
    • Geoff George, lead vocals, keyboards
    • Peter Helfand, lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, marimba
    • Ishmael, kanoon, baglama saz
    Album Details
  • Eye on the World (1994)

    Eye on the World (1994)

    • Produced by Michael Shrieve of Santana fame, this World Beat CD features updates on traditional Middle Eastern songs, and includes the band's cover of the Rolling Stones' Paint It Black as heard on NPR.
       
    • Featured Artists
    • Michael Beach: lead vocals, doumbek, drum kit, tar, riq, mizmars, zils, bongos, midjwiz, mezhar
    • J. Michael Kearsey: vocals, electric bass guitar, percussion
    • Michael Shrieve: drum kit, timbales, percussion
    • Tariq Banzi: vocals, oud, nay, bouzouki, darbuka, riq
    • Atilio: keyboards
    • Stephen Skaggs: clarino
    • Mel Kubic: soprano sax
    • Youssef Boutros: violin
    Album Details
  • Further Journeys (1993)

    Further Journeys (1993)

    • Our biggest seller among belly dancers! A twenty-one minute Arabic routine, four Turkish pieces, two drum solos and a hot 6 minute tribal/mizmar/drum experience. Features kanoun, nai, violin, oud, clarinet, kemenche and a barrage of folkloric mizmars & drums.
       
    • Featured Artists
    • Michael Beach: vocals, tabla, doumbek, dolalla, riq, def, bongos, mizmar, midjwiz, qaraqab, bendir, zils
    • Ishmael: kanoon, baglama saz
    • Boujemaa Razgui: oud, ney, violin, bass
    • J. Michael Kearsey: bass
    • Stephen Skaggs: oud, clarinet
    • Peter Helfand: guitar
    Album Details
  • Beyond the Tenth (1989)

    Beyond the Tenth (1989)

    • Popular Arabic, Turkish, Greek, Armenian & Israeli songs sung in their native languages, backed by saz, oud, clarinet, zurna and tons of drums.
     
    Album Details
  • Food of Love (1983)

    Food of Love (1983)

    • Two full belly dance routines [10 & 20 min.] featuring traditional Egyptian, Armenian and Persian songs.
     
    Album Details
  • Dance with Gladness (1982)

    Dance with Gladness (1982)

    • The Brothers of the Baladi's debut album, offering two full traditional Bellydance routines [11 & 20 min.] with lots of saz, oud, nai, mizmar and drums.
       
    • Featured Artists
    • Joseph Pusey: lead vocals, oud, saz, nai, psaltery, arghul, mizmar, percussion
    • Michael Beach: vocals, darbuka, tar, def, riq, zils, tabla beledi, bells, claves, percussion
    • Christine Gault: vocals, zils
    Album Details

What People Say

Featuring

Traditional Middle Eastern instruments — Acoustic and electric Oud and Saz, Mizmar, Midjwiz, Def, Riq, Davul, and Doumbek — fueled with Guitar, Bass, and Drums

100

Vocals in seven languages: Arabic, Turkish, Farsi, French, Spanish, Armenian, and English

100

Exotic rhythms and sounds blended seamlessly with familiar grooves, making their music highly accessible to all audiences

100
  • A mesmerizing and highly danceable mix of Middle Eastern and Rock styles…
  • Brothers of the Baladi are the ‘ real deal’ – a fresh take on an ancient idea.
  • Let the Oud Times Roll
  • A sound that contains musical styles for everyone… a great concert.
  • Exciting, Educational, Sensational… everyone danced…
  • They were the whole package… the perfect match for us… very organized and professional… put on an amazing performance… I hope to work with these talented performers and businessmen in the future…
  • …definitely had them dancing.
  • Enjoyable, educational and an all around good time for all… your music inspired spontaneous dance… everyone loved the descriptions of the music and the incredible variety of songs you played… one of the most most diverse and thoroughly satisfied audiences we’ve ever had...
  • Very hip… very unique.
  • I highly recommend any university interested in diversity and multi-cultural activities to consider Brothers of the Baladi… Outstanding… the crowd loved and responded energetically and the techs loved working with the band.
  • Anyone who has not seen them live is missing out. People were dancing in a well lit public place and that never happens. Bottom line – they make you move.
  • Their versatility redefines the concept of World Music.

Meet the Band

  • Michael Beach

    Michael Beach

    Lead vocals, doumbek / Arabic tabla, mizmar, midjwiz, def, riq and Davul
    • J. Michael Kearsey

      J. Michael Kearsey

      Vocals, electric bass, and percussion
      • Clark Salisbury

        Clark Salisbury

        Vocals, acoustic and electric oud, saz and guitars
        • Charles Pike

          Charles Pike

          Drum kit, vocals, and percussion

          News

          Pre-Order Gravity of Love Now!

          It’s ready for pre-order!  Official release date is March 18, 2016, but you can reserve your copy of Gravity of Love TODAY! Just CLICK HERE to order now through the Apple Store!  

          Spring News: Website, Store, Skeletons & Gigs!

          We have a brand new website designed by Dark Parrot, with bells, whistles, mizmars and ouds floating in the breeze. The site has expanded our welcome mat to include a definitive history of the band, upcoming shows, videos, music, links and most of all a store, BoB’s Bazaar (http://store.baladi.com/). In the Bazaar we feature the […]

          Contact

          Brothers of the Baladi
          PO Box 14083
          Portland, Oregon 97293
          P : Shawn Stendevad: (503) 683-2750
          Contact :
          booking@baladi.com
          Contact :
          shawn@darkparrot.com

          Follow

          Schedule

          Brothers of the Baladi
          with Gypsy Heart Tribal

          Friday, September 29, 7:30pm
          Fremont Theater

          2393 NE Fremonth
          Portland, OR 97212

          (503) 946-1962

          Tickets: $5 at the door or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3057305

          Brothers of the Baladi will perform music from their 12th CD titled Gravity of Love. The Fremont Theater is a great new Portland venue for music of all genres.  This is an all ages event.


          Related Events:

          ARABESQUE
          (aka 1/2 of Brothers of the Baladi and friends)

          The Oberon Community Middle Eastern Music & Dance Party

          Every Wednesday, 8pm
          $5 at the door

          Hoda’s Middle Eastern Restaurant
          3401 SE Belmont Ave
          Portland, Oregon
          503/236-8325

          Featuring the Finest Local & National Dancers!  Family-friendly — all ages welcome!


          Prior Events:

          GravityPartyGravity of Love CD Release Party

          Sunday, April 10, 2016
          Vie de Boheme

          1530 SE 7th Ave. (7th & Clay)
          Portland, OR 97214

          (503) 360-1233

          Tickets: $7 at the door

           

           


          CELEBRATING 39 YEARS OF MUSIC & DANCE!

          1897668_692458014215230_6174542756042961340_nSunday, July 12, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
          Vie de Boheme
          1530 SE 7th Ave. (7th & Clay)
          Portland, OR 97214

          (503) 360-1233

          Tickets: $5 at the door
          Featuring: Jewels

           


          BROTHERS OF THE BALADI 2015 CALIFORNIA TOUR
          Celebrating 39 years of Music & Dance

          APR. 29 – Santa Cruz 
          APR. 30 – Fresno 
          MAY 1 – Oxnard 
          MAY 2 – San Diego / Encinitas
          MAY 3 – LA Alhambra 

           Santa Cruz

          Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
          Moe’s Alley
          1535 Commercial Way
          Santa Cruz, CA
          831-479-1854
          Tickets: $9 advance, $12 day of show
          Featuring: Janelle, Natasha, Lana & Desert Dancer
          Join their Facebook event

          Fresno

          Thursday, April 30, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
          Full Circle Brewery
          620 F St.
          Fresno, CA
          559-264-6323
          Tickets: $10 at the door
          Featuring: Annette Frederico, Lydia, Andalee, Zarouhi & Brazen Tassel Tribal Belly Dance
          Join their Facebook Event!

          Oxnard

          Friday May 1, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
          Oxnard College 
          Black Box Performing Arts Building
          “Bring Your Own Pillow Belly Dance Party”
          For info call 805-218-2312
          Facebook Event

          Encinitas

          Saturday May 2, 2015, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
          Bird House Grill
          250 N Coast Hwy 101 # A
          Encinitas, CA 92024
          For info call 619-459-4894
          Featuring: Dilek
          Facebook Event

          Alhambra (LA)

          May 3, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
          Mesmera’s 40th Anniversary of Dance
          Wahib’s Middle East Restaurant
          910 E Main St.
          Alhambra, CA
          Tickets: $12 at the door
          Reservations:  626-281-1006
          Facebook Event


          Sunday, October 26, 2014, 8:00 PM
          Brothers of the Baladi
          with Belly Dancer Emily Sitara
          13th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days

          Vie de Boheme
          1530 SE 7th Ave
          Portland, OR 97214
          (503) 360-1233
          $5 at the door / Donations appreciated

          Friday, November 7, 2014
          Whidbey Island Center for the Arts
          Whidbey Island, WA
          Educational Outreach:  Noon
          Concert & Dance:  7:30 PM

          Sunday, August 17, 2014
          Hawthorne Street Fair
          SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland OR

          Thursday, September 18, 2014, Time TBD
          University of Wyoming – Cultural Education Concert
          Laramie, WY

          Friday, September 19, 2014, 8:00 p.m.
          Neurolux
          111 North 11th Street, Boise, ID

          Thursday, July 24, 2014, 6-8 PM
          Portland Parks Summer Concerts
          Wallace Park, Portland OR

          Saturday, January 5, 2013, 8 PM
          COZMIC
          Eugene, OR
          Featuring ELENE VILLA, SOLOME BAHAR, TRIBALATION and AMIRA
          Tickets $10 at the door.

          Brothers of the Baladi Fall 2012 California Tour:

          Tuesday, November 6, 2012, 7 PM
          SOHO Restaurant & Music Club
          Santa Barbara CA
          Featuring ALEXANDRA KING & Students and PAULINA

           

          Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 8 PM
          Skinny’s Lounge
          North Hollywood, CA
          Featuring JENNA, HEATHER SHOOPMAN, & SHIRIN

          Thursday, November 8, 2012, 7 PM
          Oxnard College Student Lounge
          Oxnard, CA
          Featuring NEILA, NILAY, and more…!

          Friday, November 9, 2012, 8 PM
          Full Circle Brewery

          Fresno CA
          Featuring CORY ZAMORA, KRISTY AGUIRRE & ANNETTE FEDERICO

          Saturday, November 10, 2012, 7 PM
          Cozmic Cafe
          Placerville CA 95667
          Featuring CINTIA, VAHANA, CAROLINA, SAHRINA & SARPIKA

          Sunday, November 11, 2012, 6 PM
          Menara Moroccan Restaurant
          San Jose CA
          Featuring: ALCINA, FARIMA, & HALA

          Monday, November 12, 2012, 7:30 PM
          Sheba’s Piano Lounge
          San Francisco, CA 94115

          Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 7:30 PM
          Moe’s Alley

          Santa Cruz CA
          Featuring JANELLE, NATASHA & DESERT DREAM DANCE COMPANY

          Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 7 PM
          Harlow’s
          Sacramento CA
          Featuring ADRIANE, MYCHELLE, BADIA & SHUPA

          About the Band

          stagephotosmallGrammy-Nominated Middle Eastern / World Music band

          This Portland, Oregon USA quartet features traditional Middle Eastern songs, well-chosen cover songs, and unique original material played with traditional Middle Eastern instruments (Oud, Saz, Mizmar, Midjwiz, Arabic Tabla/Doumbek, Def, Riq and Davul) paired with Western electric Guitar, Bass and Drum set, and vocals in eight languages (Arabic, Turkish, Spanish, Farsi, Armenian, Berber, French, and English). The result is a seamless blend of exotic world rhythms and sounds with familiar grooves that is highly accessible to audiences worldwide.

          Brothers of the Baladi have been blazing World Music trails around the globe through their recordings and live shows for nearly four decades.  Their last two albums, “Just Do What’s Right” and “Gravity of Love” were nominated for Grammy awards in 2008 and 2016, respectively.

          “A sound that knows no borders“ –LA Times

          History

          On 40 Years and the Gravity of Love

          Our Hometown

          We Support…

          Middle Eastern Traditional Music

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          Middle Eastern / World Music

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          Videos

          Brothers of the Baladi – Live at the Alberta Rose Theatre

          Brothers of the Baladi at the 2011 Portland Music Awards

          Brothers of the Baladi with dancer Tracey Jones, July 28, 2010, Bristol U.K.

          Brothers of the Baladi on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s
          Oregon Art Beat

          Brothers of the Baladi Oud and Drum Solo with Belly Dancing by Leia, 5/14/2011, Tower Theatre, Bend, Oregon

          Brothers of the Baladi Drum Solo with Belly Dancing by Nyla Crystal, The Palms, Woodland, CA