Simon Leleux
Duration
Simon Leleux is a Belgium-based percussionist specialising in doholla, darbuka and other Arab and Middle Eastern percussion instruments and styles. Shaped like a tumbler, the darbuka provided the starting point for Simon’s percussion journey and his interest in many other instruments, including frame drums, tombak, riqq, and drum kits. Simon has focused on studying the doholla (bass darbuka) since 2014 with the musician who broke new ground with this instrument, Levent Yildirim. He also performs in Belgium and throughout Europe as part of the percussion trio Hands in Motion (HiM) and several other projects. Simon recently released his debut solo album, ‘Letter to Levent’ (2021).
Inspired by diverse music from around the world, and the natural world itself, Making Tracks brings together extraordinary musicians to create new work. Three editions of this residency have taken place to date, in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
In 2024, during a two-week residency at Cove Park, eight musicians developed new work in collaboration – including several pieces inspired by this year’s theme of Oceans – before heading off on a UK concert tour. Making Tracks is based around the idea that intercultural and interspecies approaches to music-making have the power to bring people together and foster a greater appreciation of both cultural diversity and biodiversity.
