Grammy winner Omar Akram celebrated the launch of his new album “Destiny,” co-produced by legendary producer Walter Afanasieff (Mariah Carey, Barbra Streisand, Ricky Martin, Whitney Houston), on the eve before its official release on August 9, 2019 at the Sofitel Beverly Hills. The exclusive, by invitation only event featured a live performance by Akram, who was introduced by E! founder Larry Namer and Afanasieff. 

  • Omar Akram
  • Walter Afanasieff on Stage
  • Omar Akram with Eric Darius
  • Omar Akram with David Dubinsky
  • (L-R) Omar Akram, Larry Namer, Merry Taheri, Walter Afanasieff
  • Summer Watson
  • Omar Akram, Kevin Xu
  • Jezlan Moyet
  • Omar Akram, Walter Afanasieff
  • Kat Kramer
  • Vivian B.
  • Amy Shi
  • Medi EM
  • Dustin Quick

Guests who joined Grammy-winners Omar Akram and Walter Afanasieff included CAA’s David Dubinsky, Dustin Quick & Medi EM, jazz star Eric Darius, Glen Wexler, Kat Kramer, Jezlan Moyet, E! founder Larry Namer, Lisa Yaro, Merry Taheri Akram, Summer Watson, Vic Gerami, Vivian B. (Miss California US Nation 2019), LA Weekly publisher Kevin Xu, and many others.  

Co-produced by Afanasieff, “Destiny” features an eighty-piece symphony orchestra conducted by Shardad Rohani (Yanni: Live at the Acropolis). Akram has assembled some of the industry’s best musicians and arrangers, including Steve Oliver, ( guitar, bass and arrangement), Ramon Stagnaro (guitar), Joel Taylor, (drums), Navid Kandelousi (violin) and Ramon Yslas (percussion). The album was mixed by four-time Grammy winner Dave Reitzas at the iconic Westlake Studios in Hollywood. The album cover was designed by award-winning photographic artist Glen Wexler.

Born in New York, Afghan-American Omar Akram grew up the son of a United Nations diplomat, living in France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, his ancestral home of Afghanistan. The artist’s piano-driven, instrumental music elegantly defies borders and has played a crucial role in defining modern New Age and World music. His songs have millions of plays on YouTube, and his first two albums, Opal Fire (2002) and Free As a Bird (2004), hit the Top 15 on Billboard’s New Age chart.  In 2013, he became the first Afghan-American to win a Grammy Award with Echoes of Love. In 2013, he also released Daytime Dreamer, presenting an enchanting blend of World, New Age and electronica music that lures listeners with masterful musicianship and his well-traveled wisdom.  His new album Destiny will be released on August 9, 2019.

Instagram and Facebook: @realomarakram

www.omarakram.com

Photo credit: Tshombe Sampson Video: Jackie Lewis Productions | Bionic Buzz

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