Emam & Friends Presents: Josh Massad percussion Born into a musical family, Josh Massad began his professional career playing Middle Eastern percussion for dancers. By age 20, he was involved in playing Western African music, also accompanying dancers. He spent much of that same decade representing the Flamenco traditions of Spain, performing Bulgarian, Irish, Thai music, and playing percussion for Latin ensembles. Having lived and traveled extensively in Lebanon (where his parents are from), Turkey, Morocco, Spain, Senegal, Greece and India. His musical influences are many and this is apparent in his personal sound. Josh travels within these lands learning and documenting the indigenous sounds of each culture. A few of his primary instruments include: cajon, djembe, dijeridoo, dumbak and drum set. Whilst continuing his education in jazz piano & guitar, and as he began touring the US, his vision of a unifying music naturally began to fruit. He has spent the last ten years arranging for percussion ensembles, composing music for movies, music for theatre and teaching. Josh also presents education to children through music and does so internationally. His own teachers include Zakir Hussain, and Mamady Keita.