THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN THE BELLY DANCE WORLD




The Magic Fingers of Ghaleb “Gabby” El-Tawil

Ghaleb“Gabby” El-Tawil started his career as a drummer in 1968 on television and radio in Israel and Jordan. He was in so much demand that he stayed in broadcasting for a total of eleven years. He traveled to many Middle Eastern Countries including Egypt, Seria and Lebanon, where he performed in some of the best venues with top entertainers, such as, Sabah and Nadia Gamal. Gabby played with Famous Middle Eastern Musicians and singers at private parties for royalty, the rich and the famous.

He started teaching percussion in Jerusalem at the Abdulah Ebin Hosien School in 1975. He continued to teach in Jordan, Seria, Lebanon and Egypt until he left to come to the United States in 1980. He resided in New York and circuited the city’s hottest nightclubs including the El-Darwish, Cedars of Lebanon, Sinbads and Alladin, where he played for many accomplished dancers such as Morocco, Serena, Shoshana and Morwina Assaf.
He assisted many Middle-Eastern dance instructors such as Bobby Farah and Yousry Shariff in teaching their students to understand the complex Middle Eastern rhythms.
Gabby also spent time in L.A.’s Ali Baba and San Francisco’s El-Basha. He has recorded in numerous studios with famous Middle-Eastern artists such as Sabah, Bobby Farah, Nadia Gamal, Samera Tofet and many more. Gabby also had the honor of performing at the Cedars of Lebanon nightclub with Led Zepplin’s Robert Plant.

He moved to Arizona in 1996 where he has been teaching workshops, group and private classes in Phoenix and Tucson. He continues to accompany belly dance instructors in their studios to teach the students Middle Eastern rhythms and how to dance to his amazingly intricate and exciting drumming. Arizona’s Helena Vlahos, Naj, Katherine Ferguson, Lucy Lipschitz and Erin are among these instructors.

Gabby passes his passion for music to his students, sharing his expertise in Middle-Eastern (Egyptian style) drums like the tabla, tambourine, bongos and mazhar.
Gabby continues to perform in Arizona and around the world, and is loved by all.
He has taught many who have gone on to become teachers themselves. Although the “magic of Gabby’s fingers” is no less than awe-striking, his patient, pleasant demeanor and positive reinforcement toward his students has earned him the reputation of being the finest teacher of his profession.

Be taught by the best. The “teacher of teachers”.

Gabby teaches in Phoenix at the Belly Dance Shoppe 14848 N Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 997-4149 naj@BellyDanceShoppe.com
gobellydance.com
He also teaches private & group classes at the Cannedy Performing Arts Centre:
Call Helena Vlahos (602) 274-9188
Contact Gabby at (602) 866-6320 for performances, private parties and instruction