Jazz violinist and educator Steve Gibons specializes in music from the Americas, Europe and the Middle-East. He is the founder and leader of Gypsy Rhythm Project, an ensemble that juxtaposes Roma musicians from Southeast Europe and the Balkans with modern jazz players. As a student of Arabic music, he worked with Simon Shaheen, Charbel Rouhana and Kamil Shajrawi at the 2008 Simon Sheen Retreat, and  toured with the Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble.