World Music in Lynn: Featuring Walid Zairi & Talween

Access Culture proudly presents the 2025 World Music Concert Series, featuring highest caliber music from around the globe -provided in outdoor spaces, free, for the enjoyment of all.

This concert, held at Lynn Commons, features the exhilarating global fusion of Walid Zairi & Talween—a masterful ensemble of international musicians pushing the boundaries of sound and tradition.

Led by Tunisian oud virtuoso and composer Walid Zairi, Talween (Arabic for “coloring”) brings to life a vibrant tapestry of World Jazz, weaving together Arabic classical music, African rhythms, and contemporary improvisation. With breathtaking original compositions, the group invites you on a sonic journey where the ancient soul of the oud meets modern jazz and Afro-fusion energy.

The ensemble includes:

• Walid Zairi – Oud & Composition
• Ken Hiatt – Accordion, blending Balkan, Brazilian, and jazz influences
• Fabio Pirozzolo – Percussion & Drums, an Italian master of global rhythms

These artists have performed at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Town Hall NYC, Lowell Folk Festival, and with world-renowned musicians like Simon Shaheen and Lamine Touré.

Expect mesmerizing melodies, high-energy improvisation, and a celebration of cultural artistry under the open sky.

• Seats available. Bring water and a picnic.
• Perfect for music lovers, culture seekers, and community members of all ages.
• Easily accessible by public transportation | Free parking nearby

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RSVP if you want to be added to the mailing list for information about the rest of the concert series, future events, and Access Culture News. RSVP Not required for entry.

About the Band

Walid Zairi & Talween presents the audience with original World Jazz Music. The group was founded by Walid and is the reunion of world class musicians residing in Boston. In his compositions, Walid blends Jazz elements with his African roots and his Classical Arabic music background. Though a lover and experienced player of classical authentic Arabic music repertoire, Walid's fresh original compositions take the oud on an adventure out of its usual conservative milieu.

Walid Zairi & Talween (Arabic for Coloring) displays a kaleidoscope of musical colors taking the audience to new places with mesmerizing melodies and improvisations.aces with mesmerizing melodies and improvisations.

WALID ZAIRI | Oud & composition

Walid has participated in numerous tours across the US, playing oud and or bass in major venues in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit, Louisville, Wahington DC. Walid collaborated with Group Saloum, playing electric bass for the hottest Afro-Beat Mbalax band founded by world-renowned Senegalese griot percussionist Lamine Touré and went on a tour on the American east coast and played for crowds such as that of the prestigious Montréal Festival Les Nuits D’Afrique in Canada in July 2007.

In February 2008, Walid had the privilege of being part of the Arabesque Music Ensemble national tour playing oud in sold out venues in 6 major US cities, sharing the stage with exceptional musicians including the legendary singer Youssef Kassab and the legendary percussionist Michel Mehrej (Fairuz).

Walid had been honored since 2007 to play upright bass for great Master, violin and oud virtuoso Simon Shaheen performing in sold out Jazz Fusion and Classical Arabic music concerts in Seattle, New York, Vancouver Canada, Boston...

In March 2009, Walid had the privilege of being both the Road Manager and Bass Player for one of the most important Classical Arabic Music tours ever made in the US. The tour was created and directed by Simon Shaheen. Aswat "Celebrating the Golden Age of Arabic Music and Cinema" featured some of the best voices in the Arabic world: Sonia M'Barek form Tunisia, Rima Khcheich form Lebanon, Ibrahim Azzam from Palestine and Khalil Abou Nicolas form Palestine. There were 10 performances in 10 cities in the most prestigious venues in the US including Town Hall in NYC, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

KEN HIATT | Accordion

Ken Hiatt was born in Boston in 1974. He began studying the accordion at age 8 and has been performing professionally on it for the past 15 years.

He has also studied the drums extensively. Ken has experience in a wide range of music, including Balkan, klezmer, Latin, zydeco, jazz, and rock. From 2007-2013 he led his own band, Gumbo Diablo, which fused various styles of folk and dance music. They recorded a critically-praised album of original songs and played hundreds of shows around the Northeastern U.S.

For the past 5 years Ken has been deeply immersed in Brazilian music, playing in several bands in the Boston area and traveling to Brazil in the summer of 2018 to study and perform. Past performance highlights include the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, the Lowell Folk Festival, the Zlatne Uste Golden Festival, ForroFest USA (the first ever festival of Brazilian Forro music in the U.S.), and the Shalin Liu Performance Center.

FABIO PIROZZOLO | Percussion

Fabio Pirozzolo is an Italian drummer, multi-percussionist and singer currently based in Boston, Massachusetts. Originally from Terracina, Italy, he started his career as a folk percussionist, playing Italian frame drums tamburello and tammorra, in one of the most famous folk groups in his area. This experience gave him the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, playing concerts and giving lectures on regional Italian frame drum techniques.

Fabio performs in virtually any genre of music from jazz to world music to rock. He’s the co-founder of the world music ensembles Sawaari and Grand Fatilla and Italian folk music ensemble Newpoli. Highly in demand both as a drummer and as percussionist, he’s currently the drummer for Club D'Elf,  Vanessa Trien and The Jumping Monkeys, and the Union United Methodist Church Band.

He’s also the percussionist for Yoni Battat, Basel Zayed, Revma Greek Ensemble and Musaner. He taught master classes at Berklee, Harvard and Tufts University and worked at Emerson College and Boston Conservatory as an accompanist for dance classes. He’s the author of the drum transcriptions for Skip Hadden’s drum books "Profiles in Jazz Drumming" and "Broken Eight’s Time Feel". His transcriptions were featured on the Italian drum magazine "Batteria e Percussioni", "Batteria", "Percussionista" and on Polish drum magazine "Top Drummer". When pandemics don't interfere, he keeps a very busy performing schedule: you can visit his performing page here.

About Access Culture

Access Culture’s mission is to bridge the gap between culture and nature by providing accessible and inclusive cultural and educational experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds. We believe everyone should be able to explore and appreciate the richness of cultural heritage, diversity, and nature.

Through our diverse range of programs, including art projects, films, concerts and outdoor school programs, and other cultural initiatives, we aim to inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and promote environmental stewardship. By breaking down barriers to participation and ensuring equal access to resources, we strive to empower individuals to connect with their communities, nature cultivate a deeper understanding of the world around them, and cultivate a lifelong love for learning.

At Access Culture, we envision a society where everyone can engage with diverse cultural traditions, explore the wonders of nature, and develop a sense of belonging within local and global communities. Together, we can create a more inclusive and vibrant future where culture and nature thrive in harmony, enriching the lives of individuals and strengthening the fabric of society.

This concert is supported by grants from the Mass Cultural Council and Lynn Cultural Council, a local agency of the Mass Cultural Council.