FOUR FIRES BURN

Grammy-winning guitarist Rober Luis grew up in Havana, Cuba, and studied at the National School of Art. His music blends Cuban traditions with jazz, rock, pop, and global influences. He has worked with artists including Pablo Milanés, Gente de Zona, Ivan Lins, Colin Hay, and Jackson Browne. In 2024, his arrangement work on The String Revolution’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” featuring Tommy Emmanuel, earned a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella. Rober’s nylon-string guitar and Cuban tres bring warmth, rhythm, and unmistakable Cuban character to Four Fires Burn.

Why guitar and tres?
“These instruments connect me to my Cuban roots while giving me the freedom to explore. I love how Four Fires Burn brings different cultures and musical voices together—we listen, respond, and create something new every time we play.”

Katja Koren’s love of singing began in Slovenia and carried her from the Eurovision Song Contest and stages across Europe to Los Angeles. Drawing from jazz, R&B, soul, and world music, she has performed and recorded with artists including Kool & The Gang, Christopher Cross, and Cory Henry. In Four Fires Burn, Katja brings a soulful voice, rich harmonies, and an international musical perspective.

Why the voice?
“The voice is such a personal instrument—it carries your history, emotions, and culture. I love how we blend our different influences in Four Fires Burn and create music that connects us to one another and to the audience.”

Jeffrey Dean’s connection to the bass began at twelve, when his brother placed one in his hands at a family party. He has been playing ever since, performing and recording with Four Fires Burn and artists including Chad Smith, Marva King, Bob Malone, and Kazu and Keiko Matsui. He has also spent more than twenty years composing music for television. Today, Four Fires Burn brings together everything he loves: groove, improvisation, songwriting, and sounds from around the world.

Why the bass?
“The bass is where rhythm and melody meet. I love how it connects the musicians, grounds the music, and still leaves room to explore. With Four Fires Burn, I get to make music that feels alive, collaborative, and bigger than any one of us.”

Neel Agrawal is an award-winning percussionist, educator, and cultural advocate who has performed with artists including L. Shankar, Lord Huron, and Young the Giant. Recognized for his contributions to South Asian arts and education, Neel brings experience spanning global traditions, contemporary music, and improvisation. His expansive rhythmic vocabulary adds color, movement, and cultural depth to the sound of Four Fires Burn.

Why percussion?
“Percussion is a universal language—it carries history, brings people together, and creates an immediate connection. I love how Four Fires Burn honors where each of us comes from while giving those traditions room to meet, evolve, and tell a new story.”

Luis Briones began his musical journey in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. Since then, he has toured internationally, recorded in world-class studios, and performed on legendary stages. Also a recording engineer and composer for television and film, Luis draws from rock, fusion, pop, and R&B. His powerful yet responsive drumming gives Four Fires Burn a dynamic foundation for global rhythms, improvisation, and contemporary songwriting.

Why the drums?
“The drums let me shape the energy of the music while supporting everyone around me. I love the way Four Fires Burn combines different rhythms and traditions—the music can move anywhere, and every performance becomes a conversation.”

Hamed Habibpour grew up in Iran immersed in Persian musical traditions. With more than 25 years of experience and advanced degrees in music from the University of Tehran, he has performed across Iran, Turkey, and the United States. His santur, handpan, and other traditional instruments create a bridge between Persian music and sounds from around the world. In Four Fires Burn, Hamed brings deep tradition, improvisation, and a spirit of musical discovery.

Why the santur?
“The santur connects me to my Persian roots, but it also invites endless exploration. I love how Four Fires Burn creates space for our different traditions to meet, respond to one another, and become something entirely new.”