| About
Okotécho guides the listener into a sonic world brimming with hope, aspiration, and lyricism found in the exceptional interlude between the Middle East, Arboriginal and the West. Under the artistic direction of composer Katia Makdissi-Warren, Okotécho explores mixed music and musical sounds through its own compositions.
Phyras Haddad
Percussionist
Presentation
Phyras is an exceptional percussionist and vocalist. He masters a wide range of instruments, including the tabla, req, daf, bendir, dahola, oud, as well as Afro-Cuban percussion such as congas, djembe, and timbales. A musician from a very young age, he began his professional career at the age of 13.
His musical influences are vast, ranging from Arabic and Oriental traditions to Turkish and Iraqi repertoires. He was notably a member of the Gypsy group Ziganne and further developed his mastery of Arabic music within the group Maghrébiet, exploring Algerian raï, Moroccan chaâbi, and Tunisian mezoued. He has also collaborated with Mek Sili, El Hasni, and The Circle of Ecstasy.
A member of Oktoecho since 2008, Firas has performed at major festivals such as Just for Laughs, Francofolies, Vues d'Afrique, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and the Arab World Festival. He is also a member of the group Bassalindos, where he works as a songwriter and studio programmer alongside Christine Atallah, contributing to the creation of the group's Arabic repertoire.