Kareem Samara with support from Sam Ehret-Pickett

Kareem Samara is an improviser and composer from London. Combining the Oud and Arabic percussion with loopers and samplers, he creates a new dialogue between himself and technology, between traditions and the future. He pushes the limits of what is expected of an instrument weighed down by generations of expectation, exploring every inch of the Oud to create a modern soundworld. A soundworld where archival interviews and field recordings connect struggles and timelines, interweaving with melodies that strive to be free of borders.

He has released music on legendary venue Cafe Oto's label OTUROKU and will be performing at the 20th anniversary of Le Guess Who? Music festival in the Netherlands this November 2026.

He is member of 1000 Pounds to Survive Us and founder of the improvisational ensemble, I.E. Us. He has performed and collaborated worldwide awith Nadah El Shazly, Ayman Asfour (the Handover) Goat Girl, Ryan Harvey, Tom Morello, Tashi Dorji, Kinn, Matt Cargill, Fatima Laham and Bint Mbareh.

Sam Ehret-Pickett is a Leeds based brass performer and composer. His solo shows, under the name Sam E:P, are improvised, interwoven with compositions featuring brass, percussion, electronics, tape machines and effect processors inspired by Shabaka, Jon Hassel and Terry Riley.

Sam is known for his work with several of Leeds' creative jazz ensembles including Ancient Infinity Orchestra, Ferg's Imaginary Big Band and Amon Ra Collective. Sam has been expanding his work into electronics, solo shows and into preparing a debut solo album coming later this year.