We are tempted to call Anthony Semaan a staple of the Lebanese music scene. The young entrepreneur no longer lives in Lebanon but with Beirut Jam Sessions, he has been a pillar of the music scene in the country for more than 10 years and brings feel-good vibes with each event. This summer is no exception!
Anthony starts by telling us that Beirut Jam Sessions is his excuse to keep a foot in Lebanon, despite now being based in London. In fact, when he came back this past May on one of his trips home, he realized that it was something he needed for himself, to stay active and motivated in his hometown, ‘I keep busy when I come home, with exercise, football, meditation, reading, but I always feel I need to do things with Beirut Jam sessions, it truly makes me happy.’ Anthony works in London with Groover, a music platform that connects artists with industry professionals, where he handles partnerships and business development. He also organizes events and concerts on the side, for artists from the Middle East via Lazarus Arts & Culture, a platform he launched with Lebanese producer, DJ and artist Jana Saleh. Unexpected locations, emerging bands, beautiful voices and forgotten instruments, Beirut Jam Sessions introduced a unique touch to the Beirut music scene and Anthony is keen to keep it thriving ‘as long as we can do things in Lebanon, we will.’ Beirut Jam Sessions started in 2012, when four friends had the idea to bring artists from around the world to perform in Beirut and collaborate with local artists. The concept evolved with the years and the multiple challenges the country faced. Now, two of the founders continue the venture despite being based abroad, Anthony and Roy Jamhouri, and the creative and production team that has been with them from the beginning eleven years ago is still on board, ‘so concert and session days feel a bit like a reunion.’ They produce video sessions with musicians, published on their youtube channel, as well as concerts with local artists and are hoping to bring some international artists to Beirut once again. An abandoned house, an “autobus”, or inside the walls of an old town, the films capture artists in some of the most random locations across the country, ‘to showcase Lebanon in a different way.’ One of the latest videos featuring artist Zef for his song ‘Tlef El Dunya’ was filmed last November on the rooftop of Sama Beirut, the highest point in the capital, ‘it was very windy and a lot of fun. The more challenging and weird the spot is, the better,’ Anthony laughs.
Beirut Jam Sessions has three concerts lined up for this summer. The first one takes place on August 8 and will feature Louss an emerging singer songwriter who composes in French, performing songs from his debut album Paradis Perdu. Opening the night will be rock act Paõ. The event will be held at Cinema Royal, a ‘new’ cultural space in Bourj Hammoud. The space was previously an abandoned cinema, it has been refurbished and turned into an official venue by film director Karl Hadife. Recently the Beirut Jam Sessions team filmed a session with Louss at Cinema Royal when the space was still undergoing some works and ‘didn’t look at all like it does now.’ Up the stairs the old cinema chairs are still intact and downstairs is the stage and standing area. On August 12 four artists will be performing at the beach Isolé in Batroun for a daytime concert; singer songwriter poet Yal Solan, artist John Lebanon (Roy Souaid) coming from Boston and performing in Lebanon for the first time, Taxi 404 one of Beirut’s emerging buzz acts, and finally a DJ set by Jana Saleh playing throughout the day. In the Midan, the public square of Hammana, rendez vous august 18 to discover Tilt Ensemble trio and their funky instruments, buzok, accordeon, daf… as well as duo Si-Bemol & Arsenous for a night of music with an oriental feel, an event in collaboration with Hammana Artist House. Anthony tells us he discovers artists by keeping a curious eye and ear on what’s happening in the country, with no specific genre in mind. As for his favorite genre of music ‘it depends on my mood and state of mind,’ on a rainy cloudy day he will look for something calm, on a sunny day with a lot to do he’ll want something more energetic. As to what’s coming, Beirut Jam Sessions has a series of video sessions in the works with artists that will be revealed throughout the summer and ‘the plan is to organize concerts and video sessions every 2 or 3 months,’ bringing the sunshine, good tunes and an excuse to visit home throughout the year.
Credits photos 1 & 3: Toufic Rmeiti
