DAHKA BAND

He started music at the age of 9, while attending church with his parents in Nigeria where he joined the children church choir, and started learning to play different musical instruments like local African drums, congas, piano, and eventually settling with the saxophone. Eli’s musical influences are church music, Fela Kuti, Orlando Julius, Keziah Jones, Wyclef Jean, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. At age 19, Eli came to New York City to pursue college education in Music. He has performed in corporate and private events, weddings, and several spots in the New York club scene such as Shrine NYC, Arlene’s Grocery, Drom NYC, Parkside Lounge, and even the New York City Subway.

Trained in both classical and contemporary music, Fathi has collaborated on projects ranging from rock and jazz to blues and traditional classical music from Africa, performed with Gypsy Kings, L’orchestre Symphonique, Cesaria Evora, Mory Kante, amd made an African tribute to the legendary Miriam Makeba. His first major breakthrough came after Safy Boutella, one of Algeria’s most renowned musicians, invited Fathi to tour with him. In 2010 Fathi was invited to the United States by the US Embassy to join a group of international musicians on a national tour. The tour made stops in Washington DC, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago, Iowa city and New York. Since 2012, Fathi has lived in New York City, where he performs with various bands including Inti and the Moon.