About us

The SAMA Ensemble was founded in 1998 by Dr. Ali Analouei to provide performance opportunities for his advancing students. The Mission of the organization (whose name references the best known of the ritual dances of the Sufis, characterized by whirling) has since grown considerably, having thus developed a significant educational component plus three tiers of performance offerings.

Performance Offerings

The SAMA Ensemble
The original SAMA Ensemble (now co-directed by Ali Analouei, Naser Khorasani, renowned musician and Daf player, and Cross-Cultural Percussionist Steve Bloom, who joined Dr. Analouei as co-directors of the SAMA Ensemble in 2005) maintains a regular schedule of shows and recitals in the Mid-Atlantic US. This group sometimes performs in large numbers, up to 25 strong.

The SAMA Summit
The SAMA Summit consists of performances by the Directors plus several senior apprentices of repertoire, usually created collaboratively (“Concerts of Surpassing Refinement.”)

Collaborative Concerts
Aside from purely artistic ends, a key part of the SAMA mission is the fostering of intercultural understanding. To this end, SAMA seeks to participate with other artists and groups of any and all nationalities, creeds, and racial origins. Both of the above groups have successfully collaborated with others, including the Center for Persian Classical Music, and the Chakavak Ensembles.

Educational Component
In briefly addressing SAMA’s Educational Component, it is key to note that, given significant variations in tablature necessitated by the extensive ornamentation characteristic of Persian music, “Western” notation is used within the culture to document and communicate all but a handful of the traditional rhythms (maqams) and all of those of the modern Masters’ branches.
The SAMA Ensemble performance residency package includes offerings at every level. Typically anchored by a major concert in a given city, a package can be designed to include lecture demonstrations in University music departments, high schools, community centers and elementary schools. We seek collaborations with choruses or chamber ensembles, even guest appearances at gatherings focused strictly on drumming, or on the use of ancient Sufi music, breathing and/or movement practices in the enrichment of the Spirit. To explore a performance residency package design, please call Steve Bloom at 301-962-7094, or email at stevebloom@juno.com. Some specific seminar themes are described in the Directors’ biographies.