The Finest in Non-Regular Music
Habibi Kings Founder Michael Garin Says:
"The original Habibi Kings (Samir Shukry, Ossama Farouk, Seido Salifoski and I) have played together in various joints for over 30 years, starting with the Café Feenjon. Our music is a throwback to the old 8th Avenue music scene, when clubs like The Port Said and The Egyptian Garden populated 8th Avenue from around 25th Street to around 33rd Street. It was a scene where Arab, Israeli, Greek, Turkish, Armenian and Iranian customers, music, and musicians mingled freely and happily. Our belief is that if musicians ruled the world, there would be no more war. Nothing else would get done either. The whole world would sleep till noon, watch TV till 8pm and then go to work. All in all, not a bad schedule."
About Us
Samir Shukry
Samir Shukry was born in the town of Akko (Acre), Israel, to a musical family. His father, Sodki Shukry, a professor of Arabic music, was also considered one of the country's most prolific lyricist/composer/arrangers of Arabic music, played the oud and violin, and was a pioneer in Israeli television and radio.
After finishing high school in Akko, Samir left for New York City to continue his musical education, graduating from Queens College in New York with a Bachelor of Arts in a double major of Western Classical Music and Music Education.
During 1987, then divorced, Samir returned to live and perform in Israel. There, he recorded his huge hit, "Rona," named after his eldest daughter, whom he yearned to be with back in the United States.
The success of the song brought Samir back to Israel for good. His popularity soared. In early 1990 Samir married Jamila, a prominent Israeli lawyer and one year later their son Nadir was born. That same year Samir began performing in France, where he was received warmly by the mixed ethnic audiences. His
approach, a blend of his native Arabic/Oriental style and the Western music he studied, resulting in his own unique style, has since developed into a musical insignia. He sings and plays on a white electric violin which he feels has become a symbol for peace and brotherhood, like the white dove. His performances at the "Olympia" and "Palais du Congress" in Paris have made him a mainstay on the local scene.
His shows became quite popular among both Arabic and Jewish communities alike, circling the globe. He became recognized as a creative artist who builds bridges between nationalities. Since then, Samir has come out with nearly one album every year. His performing schedule keeps him busy returning to Europe, North Africa, the United States and, of course, Israel over and over again.
Samir's dream is to become the ambassador of peace, playing his violin and singing his way into the hearts and souls of people of all nations the world over.
Visit his website at www.samirshukry.com
Michael Garin
If you've spent any time in New York City after 9:00 p.m. in the last two decades, chances are you're already familiar with Michael Garin. Now embarking on his 8th year as House Pianist at the Roxy Hotel in Tribeca, you may have previously heard him playing piano and singing in such legendary boîtes as The Monkey Bar, The Rainbow Room, Café Feenjon, the notorious VIP Room at Limelight (where he performed for and with such luminaries as Frank Zappa, James Chance, David Lee Roth, and Kool & the Gang), and Elaine's. He has been hailed in the press as "a virtuoso musical wit" (Stephen Holden, The New York Times) who "presides over the best party in town" (David Finkle, The Village Voice).
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With his on- and off-stage partner, the singer-comedienne Mardie Millit, Michael performed weekly at Elaine's for the last three years of the restaurant's life. Satirical, witty, acerbically intelligent, Michael has a number of specialty songs that he's known for. His repertoire is massive and eclectic: everything from Middle Eastern and Yiddish to standards to music from classic and obscure cult films to early rock and R&B. Will Friedwald of the Wall Street Journal calls him "perhaps the most extreme polymath I've ever encountered."
Michael's other credits include running the cabaret and writing original music for the Williamstown Theatre Festival (where he accompanied Elaine Stritch, Jane Krakowski, and Nathan Lane, to name a few). His CD, "Tulsa is Just a Slut Spelled Backwards," is available on all streaming services. He co-wrote and co-starred in the hit Off-Broadway musical Song of Singapore, for which he won both the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards. He and Mardie Millit have co-written a musical, Mary Astor's Purple Diary, based on the bestselling novel by Edward Sorel, which is currently in development. He can also be heard playing on the upcoming release by A$AP Rocky.
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Visit his website at www.michaelgarin.com
Seido Salifoski​
A Roma born to a singer mother and a folk dancer father in Prilep, Macedonia, Seido has palyed darbuka / dumbek in Balkan and Middle Eastern style for 30 years. With his extensive experience playing Turkish, Greek, Balkan, and Middle Eastern percussion combined with flare of jazz from studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston, his unique virtuosity has set him apart from the pack worldwide. After frequently playing music in the now-legendary Middle Eastern nightclubs such as Ali Baba and Port Said in Manhattan closed, Seido started truly developing and aumenting the style of dumbek playing with his unique approach.
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I n the early 90's, he joined forces with Matt Dariau, as a member of highly influential Matt Dariau's Paradox Trio. Paradox Trio spearheaded the downtown New York Balkan Jazz movement, catapulting Seido into a household name in the genre, with his unique virtuosic darbuka/dumbek style that seamlessly combined jazz and Balkan technique. Seido has played with such notable artists as Tarkan, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, and Ivo Parazov. He also accompanied Tayyar Akdeniz and his dance troupe, while traveling to teach at several Balkan and Turkish music and dance camps on both coasts, such as EEFC Balkan Music & Dance Workshops (CA & MA/NY), and Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp (PA). Balkan Brothers, the collabotation with his life-long friend, Ismail Butera, continues in local nightclubs and concert halls, as well as his own ensemble, Romski Boji.
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Without the usual musical limitations, Seido continues to work with, and experience, groups and artists in different musical genres, such as Zlatne Uste, Yuri Yunakov, Hassan Issukut, Anahid Sofian Dance Company, and Ken Butler. When not touring Europe and the U.S. with Paradox Trio, he teaches darbuka/dumbek privately and offers full day workshop several times a year to an avid coterie of aficionados. With a great respect, he counts Buddy Rich and Sami Zekirovski(better known as Buco) as a major influence in his musical life.
Visit his website at seidoism.com
Mardie Millit
Also known as the "Habibi Queen," Mardie sings backup and occasionally solos with the band, singing in French, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and Farsi. A half-Italian/half-WASP Episcopalian from Shadyside, Ohio (pop. 3,000), she was introduced to Middle Eastern music by bandleader Michael Garin, and immediately fell in love with its rhythm, heart and passion. Mardie brings her years of experience in opera, musical theatre and cabaret to the Habibi Kings, contributing to their eclectic style. She is honored to be onstage with such talented and generous performers.
Visit her website at www.michaelandmardie.com
Sira​
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Sira is a highly acclaimed professional dancer, instructor and choreographer based in New York City. She adds passion, joy and elegance to weddings, galas, cultural events and theaters with a natural ability to captivate audiences.Sira’s love of Middle Eastern music and dance is rooted in her Armenian heritage. She was first exposed to belly dance at a young age, sparking a lifelong love for the dance. Since then, her professional training has led to an active career bellydancing throughout New York, the tri-state area and internationally for theatrical shows, private parties as well as high profile events. Currently, Sira’s years of experience, dedication to the art of dance and her unique style have earned her the reputation of being one of the most popular belly dancers today.
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Visit her website at bellydancernyc.com
