ABRI & The Everlasting
Born in the heart of Dubai during the stillness of the 2020 lockdown, ABRI & The Everlasting emerged as a sonic force that refuses to be confined by genre. Blending soul, funk, reggae, afrobeat, and jazz, the band crafts a sound that is both timeless and electrifying. With their infectious grooves, rich melodies, and deeply soulful performances, they have quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting live acts to come out of the region. The band consists of ABRI (vocals), Ratish Chadha (drums), Steven Bedford (bass), and Jerome Deligero (guitar).
A live performance by ABRI & The Everlasting is nothing short of a musical explosion—a celebration of rhythm and soul that pulls audiences into an intoxicating trance of movement and emotion. Their shows are known for their high-energy improvisations, deep grooves, and a powerful chemistry that transforms every stage into a pulsing, living organism. Whether it’s a packed festival or an intimate venue, their music ignites a collective energy, leaving audiences uplifted and craving more.
With their debut album set for release in the summer of 2025, ABRI & The Everlasting are poised to make waves beyond their home city. The record promises to capture the magic of their live shows, blending the raw essence of their influences with modern production to create a body of work that is both authentic and boundary-pushing.
Aleksandra Krstic
Aleksandra Krstic is an award winning pianist, singer, songwriter, composer and a music producer currently based in Dubai, UAE. She has a Masters degree in classical music and performance and a Postgraduate specialization in Chamber Music and Music Ensembles. Her music style covers jazz, funk, soul and electronic music, accompanying her classical and jazz piano skills. Aleksandra performs as a solo artist, a lead singer of a jazz/funk/soul band, collaborating with various musicians, DJ’s, music producers, and live acts, and as a singer/keyboardist collaborating with regional artists. Born and raised in Serbia, Aleksandra started her music education at the age of 5 after her perfect pitch was discovered. She performed all around Europe and the Middle East. Aleksandra worked as a film score composer on a few award winning short films and performed with the National Orchestra and the National Theatre in Belgrade (Serbia), as well as the Dubai Opera (UAE) and Firdaus Orchestra (UAE). Aleksandra also has over 15 years of teaching experience, both in Serbia and the UAE. As for her original music, she finds inspiration in artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Etta James all the way to more contemporary artists like Erykah Badu and Ms Lauryn Hill. She often draws from her classical music and arts background, resulting in a very eclectic and unique style of music.
Beatbox Ray
A beatboxer, multi-instrumentalist, and live looping artist, he brings over 15 years of experience in music production and performance. Known for his ability to produce tracks live, he layers intricate drum patterns with his mouth before adding keys, synths, textures, and guitar—crafting full compositions in real time and mixing them on the spot. This versatility allows him to seamlessly collaborate with artists and instrumentalists, elevating every performance. Having won the UAE Beatbox Championship in 2012, he has since gone on to compose original scores for global brands and perform for clients such as FIFA, GAP, Coca-Cola, Ray-Ban, McDonald's, Budweiser, Porsche, Lexus, Formula 1, Red Bull, Expo 2020, and WWE. His performances have taken him across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and on a five-city tour of India with Grammy nominated artist Shilpa Ananth. With a career that blends rhythm, melody, and innovation, he continues to push the boundaries of live music, creating immersive experiences that leave lasting impressions.
Bull Funk Zoo
Bull Funk Zoo (Assaad Lakkis) is an acclaimed artist, musician, and producer known for pushing sonic boundaries with his fusion of Psychedelic Funk, Jazz, World Music, and Electronica. With a career spanning decades, he has shared the stage with legends like Sting, Sade, Timberland, Stanley Jordan, and Courtney Pine, and earned multiple award nominations. His single It Don’t Stop was nominated for the ISC Awards in Nashville, while Livin’ It Up won Best Alternative Song—a testament to his ability to innovate and redefine genres.
His latest album, PY, is more than just music—it’s a raw, unfiltered journey into a world where sound has no limits. At its core, the album pulses with deep funk grooves, but they twist and morph unpredictably, pulling listeners into a sonic landscape that never stays still for too long. The psychedelic element transforms PY into a complete experience—hypnotic textures, unexpected shifts, and relentless energy that keeps you on edge. The synergy behind the album is undeniable. Longtime collaborators Ratish Chadha (drums), Steve Bedford (bass), and Yervand Margaryan (trumpet), alongside special guests ABRI and Ahmad Ghannoum, bring a unique chemistry that elevates the music beyond technical mastery. Ratish’s drumming is alive—breathing, speaking, and locking the music together with an instinctive groove. Steve’s bass lines are thick and immersive, creating a foundation that is both solid and fluid. Yervand’s trumpet work is pure emotion, telling stories through sound, adding layers of depth and color. Together, they don’t just play music; they have conversations through it—no egos, no overplaying, just an unspoken understanding that the music comes first.
NOON
NOON are the kind of band you might expect, or rather hope, to encounter in the UAE – an audio approximation of the Emirates’ cluttered cosmopolitanism and contemporary, borderless ethos. Made up of three players, drawn from different cultural and musical backgrounds, the instrumental trio bravely embody, and certainly enliven, the hackneyed idea of East/West musical fusions. Up front is the sound of the oud, the most typical international marker of all things Middle Eastern. But sonically framed by electric bass and drums – and freed by the improvisatory impulses of jazz – NOON’s collective sound is distinctly global. Shades of funk groove, African and Indian percussive rhythms and electronic effects pepper this sonic stew. The effect is a little like a proggy, jazz-rock power trio, only with an oud where the electric guitar is supposed to be. They call it “experimental Oriental” – a knowingly exotic abstraction, for sure, but of the very best kind.
Sanaa & The Rhythmic Circle
Sanaa & The Rhythmic Circle is a 7-piece band led by Ghanaian bassist and composer Opoku Sanaa, known for his distinctive fusion of Experimental, New Age, African rhythms, Gospel and Contemporary Jazz. For this special performance at The Temple, Sanaa creates an intimate, immersive experience of original compositions, improvisation, and storytelling - an evening of rhythm, melody, and soulful connection.
Sandra Ivette
Sandra Ivette Berriel Jaquinet, a versatile Cuban musician, embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of 6. With proficiency in viola, bass, piano, and double bass, she has showcased a remarkable range of talents. Her dedication to music led her to pursue a major in Viola, solidifying her expertise in this instrument. Sandra is not only a skilled instrumentalist, but also a talented singer-songwriter. Her compositions reflect a unique blend of musical influences, creating a distinctive sound that captivates audiences. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Sandra shares her passion for music as a dedicated teacher. In 2019, Sandra achieved a significant milestone by recording her debut album Comienzo. This musical endeavor materialized into a mesmerizing collection of compositions that resonated with listeners. The album was later released in 2023, marking a momentous chapter in her flourishing musical career.
Shilpa Ananth
Shilpa Ananth is an Indian singer-songwriter based in the UAE. The singer’s musical compositions blend the ethereal tapestries of South India with influences from Soul, Jazz, and Electronic genres, seamlessly weaving three of the oldest Indian languages - Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi - with English. A Berklee College of Music Alumna, the trailblazing songstress’ career boasts significant milestones including, featuring as a vocalist on the 2021 Grammy-nominated album ONA by Thana Alexa, opening for internationally renowned jazz musician, Corey Henry, and Afro-Jazz band, The Balimaya Project, as well as receiving a number of music accolades in recognition of her musical excellence and artistic prowess for her previous releases. In September 2023, Ananth released her much-anticipated album titled REPRODUCTION, solidifying her position as a true artist of global resonance.
