Widely acclaimed for his versatility, technological prowess and groove, Omar Hakim (Sting, Bowie, Kate Bush, Weather Report) is one of the most successful drummers and session men of the past forty years. He has collaborated with artists ranging from Miles Davis to Madonna, and has left his imprint on hundreds recordings including several under his own name. Rachel Z is a jazz and rock pianist and keyboardist and is considered one of the most influential and versatile musical forces of her generation. Together with bass player Linley Marthe (Joe Zawinul) and jazz guitarist Louis Winsberg (Gypsy Kings) they will create a unique evening with jazz/fusion and cross overs.
Born in New York City to a musical family, Omar began playing the drums at five years old. By the age of ten he was performing publicly with his father Hasan Hakim, a trombone veteran of the Duke Ellington and Count Basie bands. This period formulated Omar's traditional and improvisational jazz drumming techniques, and built a strong foundation for his unique drumming style. His father's friendship with John Coltrane enabled young Omar to spend time with Elvin Jones and Art Blakely, and at age 11 he studied with Clyde Lucas, master technician and Count Basie big band drummer. The Oz Experience is lead by Omar and his wife Rachel Z. She is also known as the keyboardist of Peter Gabriel's band. Marthe Linley has performed with the Paco Sèry Group, Antoine Hervè, Michel Portal, Francois Jeanneau Quartet, Francis Lassus Nguyen Lè, Louis Winsberg, Karim Ziad, Cheb Mami, Mino Cinelu and Richard Galliano. Louis Winsberg began playing the guitar with a group of gypsy friends at the age of twelve forming the group Los Reyes, which would later become the Gypsy Kings.