Discover Bull Funk Jamazing – Dubai’s Hot New Weekly Jam Session

Bull Funk Jamazing is Dubai’s hot new – and proper – weekly jamming session for musicians and artists. The brainchild of Bull Funk Zoo’s Assaad Lakkis and co-founder Alan Roberts, it’s already a hit with musos looking to develop their improv skills. What’s more, it takes place in Möto, one of Dubai’s coolest venues.

“It’s so exciting because it’s so new to the region,” said Alan, who goes by the stage name Alan Jamazing. He explained that other ‘jam’ nights are actually open mic nights – and there’s a major difference. “A jam night isn’t when you go and perform a cover. I never understood why there wasn’t an actual spot where musicians could jam, which is improv singing and playing. Improv is when you make up music on the spot.

“I feel like I come out with my best ideas when I am jamming and it’s something I want to do more of. That’s one of the reasons why I’m 100% behind this whole concept.”

“To write a song, you have an idea in your head,” said Assaad. “Or something that you’re playing and an idea comes out. An idea is formed and a song gets formed. What we’re trying to do is get people to improv to create something really special on the spot.”

Filling the Void

Bull Funk Jamazing fills a void in Dubai’s music scene. While Assaad comes from a rock background, Alan cut his teeth in cover bands. “Both of our networks are completely different but now we’re merging them,” said Alan. “We really believe in honing our music skills and this is a good platform to build the local music community.”

Jamming, claims Alan, is a great way for musicians to develop. “The more they improv, the more they’ll grow as a musician. Being able to listen to other musicians and know when to come in and when to come out, that’s the growth experience with Bull Funk Jamazing.”

Vision

Located in Al Quoz, Möto is the perfect venue for Bull Funk Jamazing. The two-storey warehouse boasts a motorcycle café, live music space, workshop and barber shop. It’s über cool without being pretentious. Owner Marco Möller and Assaad are good friends. 

“My vision when Möto opened was ‘we can turn this place into like a Blue Note, a Cotton Club, a Whiskey a Go-Go’,” said Assaad. “Something that becomes historical and legendary within Dubai that forever will live on as a music hub.” It’s Assaad’s dream that famous acts performing in Dubai will “all want to pass by Möto to have a jam”.

Bull Funk Jamazing is every Wednesday at Möto, from 6pm – 10pm. Performers, who must be fully vaccinated, need to register in advance. Interested? Simply drop a message to Assaad and Alan via the BFJams Insta page. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, each free jam session is currently a ticketed event. Bag your spot for Wednesday 21 July right here.

Photos: Saeed Bintowq

Also read: The ‘Beirut 20/21’ Compilation is a Postcard of its Time