Jamal Zraika
Jamal Zraika is one of the predominant Arabic percussionst in Sydney with a reputation as a drummer who is skilled in drumming for bellydancers. He has also accompanied several famous Lebanese singers on tour in Sydney such as Fairuz and Fares Karam.
Jamal was born in Tripoli, Lebanon, and started playing the darbuka at the age of 10. He started playing professionally when he was 17 in Beriut nightclubs.
In 1980 he migrated to Australia. Jamal has played for many bellydancers since that time including Rozeta Ahalyea, Amera Eid and Kaeshi Chai from the Bellydance Superstars, as well as Terezka Drznik who he was in a relationship with for 2 years in the mid 80s.
In 1987 he accompanied Fairuz at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
In October 2001 he was involved in Antonio Vargas' theatre production The House Plus, based on Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba, where he played along some of the most outstanding flamenco dancers and musicians in Sydney.
In November 2007 he accompanied Fares Karam and his band who toured Australia.
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