Imam Ali's Birthday and ICCNC’s 28th Anniversary Celebration - Sat. January 20, 2024

Please join us for the celebration of Imam Ali's (AS) Birthday and ICCNC’s 28th Anniversary on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 5:30 PM at ICCNC. 

The program includes prayer, dinner, a review of last year’s accomplishments, North African Gnawa, and African American music by The Soul Liberation  Ensemble. 

Tickets: General $35, Youth 5-16 yrs $25, Children 5 yrs and under are free. Please register and purchase your tickets by Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.

For more information, please contact us at info@iccnc.org or 510-832-7600.

This Event is Sold Out.

The Soul Libration Ensemble

The Soul Liberation Ensemble

Composed of some of the Bay Area’s most respected and accomplished musicians, The Soul Liberation Ensemble connects listeners to messages, melodies, and rhythms forged from a blend of North African Gnawa and African American music forms. The group’s primary intention is to emphasize the spirituality and universality of music and show that there are beautiful alternatives to commercial “art.” The Soul Liberation Ensemble is:

Yassir Chadly - oud, gimbri, Khalil Abdullah - guitar, Dawan Muhammad - woodwinds, James Mahone - alto saxophone, Christopher Lowell Clark - trumpet, Art Khu - piano, Aaron Germain - bass, gimbri, Deszon Claiborne - drums, and Marlon Altan - percussion

Yassir Chadly (oud, gimbri) - A native of Morocco, Yassir Chadly has been spreading his message of Tolerance, Peace and Understanding through Traditional Moroccan Sacred Music since 1977. He is also a Spiritual Storyteller, Imam, and Professor of Islam and Sufism. In his long musical career, Yassir Chadly has performed and recorded with many musicians, including Omar Sosa, Phillip Glass, and has composed music for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre.

Khalil Abdullah (guitar, musical director) - Brother Khalil Abdullah is a guitarist, composer, producer, and music educator dedicated to emphasizing the universal spirituality of music. He began his musical journey at age 9, then studied under jazz masters at San Francisco State University, and today continues to enjoy a professional career that began nearly 35 years ago. A founding member of the hip-hop group Riot Goin On (Atlantic Records) and a mainstay in the Bay Area’s hip-hop scene in the early 1990s, Khalil went on to tour, perform, and record with a multitude of great musicians from the worlds of jazz, hip hop, world music, spoken word, and other genres.

Dawan Muhammad (woodwinds) - Dawan Muhammad is an ethnomusicologist, jazz composer, arranger, performer, and producer with over 50 years of professional experience. He has published over 75 original compositions, 10 albums under his own name, and appeared as a guest artist or producer on over 50 other albums in circulation worldwide. Dawan Muhammad’s accomplishments as a producer of cultural events and documentaries are also recognized internationally.

James Mahone (alto sax) - James Mahone began his musical journey almost 30 years ago while becoming a fixture on the Los Angeles music scene. It was at this time that James became a member of the acclaimed jazz quintet Black Note; recording for the Columbia and GRP/ Impulse record labels, and performing at festivals throughout the world. While living in New York and Tokyo, to today living in the Bay Area, James has and continues to perform with many jazz luminaries.

Christopher Lowell Clark (trumpet) - Christopher Lowell Clarke, trumpeter, composer, arranger, recording artist, and bandleader, has been called “An unsung National treasure” by the president of the Oakland Public Conservatory. He has performed everything from symphonic music, musical theater, and big bands to ensembles with some of the biggest names in their respective genres. Christopher has released several albums and currently serves as a teaching artist for SFJazz, Oaktown Jazz Workshops, and The Oakland Public Conservatory.

Art Khu (piano) - Arthur Khu is a renowned pianist in the Bay Area and in concert venues throughout the USA, Europe, and Asia. He is also an accomplished composer; his Symphony of Souls was performed by the Oakland East Bay Symphony with Michael Morgan conducting.

Aaron Germain (bass, gimbri) - Aaron Germain has been a musical fixture in the Bay Area since 2000. Playing both upright and electric basses, he has always struck a balance between being a consummate sideman and a composer/bandleader. Aaron is recognized for his mastery of diverse genres of music and has performed with world-renowned musicians at some of the most respected venues around the world. Aaron has 3 albums of original music, “Before You Go”, “Chance” (on Origin Records), and “Bell Projections.”

Deszon Claiborne (drums) - A native of the Bay Area, Deszon Claiborne began his musical career at the early age of ten. He has toured, performed, and recorded with a myriad of renowned artists across numerous genres. In addition to his performing and recording credits, Deszon is also a respected educator who has taught at some of the Bay Area’s most respected schools and music camps.

Marlon Altan (percussion) - Marlon Altan began formal study of Afro-Caribbean rhythms in 2002 under the tutelage of Zeke Nealy in San Francisco, CA. He went on to play for Afro-Haitian dance classes from 2003-2006. From 2007-2009 Marlon played Bongos for Buena Mezcla - a local Bay Area Latin Jazz band. Since 2010, Marlon has been accompanying local and international singers and poets around the country for mawlid celebrations.