Hiring Abdulhamid Alwan

Arabic Percussion
Milwaukee, WI

Abdulhamid Alwan. Photo by Louie Holwerk. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Hamid came to Wisconsin to study civil engineering. His passion for Arabic music led him away from his trained profession to become a master drum maker and percussionist. Hamid has extensive knowledge of Arabic music, especially the nuances and variations in Arabic rhythms. He makes a variety of percussive instruments, including tablas, tars, riqqs, and tabl baladis. Hamid is also a skilled restorer of antique Arabesque furniture inlaid with mother of pearl. His presentations focus on the history, rhythms and performance of Arabic music.