Bassel & the Supernaturals: Ignite Peace 2026 Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising

The 2026 Ignite Peace Annual Gathering: Resistance Rising is on Wednesday, October 21, from 6-9 PM at the Woodward Theater, and we would love nothing more than for you to join us along with so many other socially conscious individuals from Greater Cincinnati for an evening of music and a celebration of local peacemakers. Our network of volunteers and supporters is active in the community, working to make Cincinnati a welcoming home for our immigrant neighbors and a merciful place for those impacted by our flawed criminal justice system. This evening is a chance to celebrate them, as well as recommit to our ongoing mission. This year’s theme, Resistance Rising, was chosen with the intention of honoring resilience and uplifting hope. Awards will be given to recognize community members who have gone above and beyond to challenge unjust systems. We hope to see you there! Bassel & The Supernaturals, a nationally touring funk fusion ensemble on a humanitarian mission, is a community building force. Blending funky grooves and captivating lyrics with the passionate melodies of soul, the playful intricacies of jazz, and the storytelling of hip-hop, B&TS builds bridges across genres as well as cultures. Their musical influence is as diverse as the stages they frequent. From funk parties and jazz festivals, to community arts centers and local music venues, to educational workshops in grade schools and universities, B&TS promote fellowship everywhere they go. Frontman Bassel Almadani, a first generation Syrian American singer, songwriter, and activist for radical empathy, shares his journey as the product of immigrants from Aleppo throughout the group’s dynamic, engaging live set. Their upcoming album, Backup Generation (summer 2027), rich with Almadani’s storytelling, weaves the group’s influences into an emotionally vast landscape of songs ranging from protest dance tracks to deeply personal neosoul ballads. Boasting features from fellow social activists including Grammy-nominated soul singer and rapper Maimouna Youssef (AKA Mumu Fresh), Emmy-nominated and SAG Award-winning actor and tap dancer Dule Hill, and award winning singer and composer Branjae, the group never falters from their charge – to build empathy through music and art. Whether you’re looking to unwind to heartfelt music, enjoy the timeless storytelling of soul, or lose yourself on the dancefloor, come meet your neighbors and join the movement with Bassel & The Supernaturals. Syrian Heart. Midwest Soul. Bassel & The Supernaturals tells the story of Bassel Almadani's experience as a first generation Syrian-American using soulful melodies, funk inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics regarding love, loss, otherness, and the war in Syria. They are making their national television debut in May 2024 as part of a new PBS docuseries starring Dule Hill entitled The Express Way, regarding the transformative power of the arts. Echoing Stevie Wonder’s rhythm and blues, Jamiroquai’s social justice centered lyricism over jazz-infused funk, and Steely Dan’s seamless amalgam of American music, Bassel & The Supernaturals evoke joy and thoughtfulness in diverse audiences throughout hundreds of cities across North America. In addition to performing in major festivals, performance halls, concert series, and clubs, the group works closely with organizations on events and residencies that build awareness and empathy for Syrian refugees and immigrants. Deeply inspired by Otis Redding, Bassel uses the stage as a vehicle to unite his listeners and share the story of his cultural duality. A substantial portion of their proceeds benefit the Karam Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on building a better future for Syria. Their sophomore release, Elements (2017), was premiered by Noisey/Vice, generating impressive buzz with their music video “Lost,” a moving, tragic song about his young cousin who was fatally caught in crossfire, a casualty of the ongoing conflict in Syria. This led to their involvement in the nationally-acclaimed SXSW 2017 showcase 'ContraBanned: #MusicUnites' featuring artists from the diaspora of countries targeted by the travel ban. They've since been featured on PRI, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Paste Magazine, Huffington Post, NowThis, and many others. Bassel & The Supernaturals has performed in over 400 concerts and advocacy events between 2016-2023 on stages including SXSW, John F. Kennedy Center, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Summerfest, and Millennium Park, and supported internationally touring artists such as Youssou N'Dour, Aesop Rock, Emancipator, Brother Ali, The Dandy Warhols, Sinkane, and many others. Upon returning from a service trip to Istanbul in September 2019 working with displaced Syrians, Bassel & The Supernaturals released their full-length album, Smoke & Mirrors, in April 2020. "Stepping Back in Time" was featured on Spotify's official "All Funked Up" playlist and recently surpassed 550,000 streams. The band collaborated with TedX Talks on their music video for “Calculated Love” featuring Chicago’s resilient youth in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the group has released three new singles, including a music video for “Sandman” which captures the group’s recording sessions with Grammy Award Winning producer and engineer Jeff Breakey of Good Wolf Music. They continue to tour the country, spreading a message of hope through their music wherever they travel. The band's national television debut on PBS (May 2024) highlights Bassel's story as a product of Syrian immigrants, challenges growing up as a Muslim in America after 9/11, and his profound connection to the arts as a channel to process his own experience while amplifying the voices of refugees. Bassel & The Supernaturals also plans to release a new EP in 2024.