Saxophonist Ali Sakkal draws from a dynamic blend of disparate influences: Middle Eastern music, the European classical tradition, and the trans-Atlantic avant-garde. Ali’s educational pursuits have led him to study with Branford Marsalis, Evan Parker, Oliver Lake, John Purcell, Hafez Modirzadeh, Andrew Speight, and classical virtuoso Greg Dufford. While in New York City, he performed with the improvisational groups, KIOKU, Fish Knuckle, and fAt kiD and the eclectic Okinawan pop and Japanese Chindon ensemble happyfunsmile.While living in San Francisco, he performed regularly in groups based around each of his various musical interests, including Heftpistole and the Gabe Stivala Quartet. Ali currently resides in Sacramento,CA, where he is working on his PhD.