Shalan Alhamwy is a Syrian/Belgian violinist and composer.
Trained as a classical musician, with his background of Arabic music, Shalan masters both genres playing and composing. Elements of variety of musical styles are unmistakably recognized in his compositions . Shalan also wrote and arranged music for a plenty of orchestras, ensembles, singers, films and TV shows.
Plays with GFVP (Gent Folk Violin Project), Olla vogala, EPO (Expat Philharmonic Orchestra) and Damast Duo.
Musical director of of the Syrian-Turkish-Belgian world music orchestra Jiraan and Picea Orientalis string orchestra.
Former member of: The Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, The National Orchestra of Arabic Music and Damascus Chamber Orchestra.
Jonas Malfliet is a Belgian musician and composer who plays a wide range of musical styles on accordion and piano. Since leaving his law practice behind, he has toured Europe, China, Congo, and South-Africa with world music bands such as Les Poissons Voyageurs and Les Busiciens.
With violinist Shalan Alhamwy he formed Damast Duo, he is band leader of the Brazilian party band Euforró, he is part of the Syrian-Turkish-Belgian world music orchestra Jiraan, and is resident pianist on Radio 2’s satiric programme “De Rechtvaardige Rechters”.
After attending and leading an overdose of international Ethno music camps, teaching traditional music by ear and conducting ensembles became second nature to him.
He is also involved in theatre productions as a multi-instrumentalist and actor, such as Fluppdifipps and Ik ben lekker stout.
Photo credit: Filip Verpoest