IRONTON — The Salaam Band Trio will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Collins Center Bowman Auditorium. The performance is a part of the Ironton Council for the Arts and the Lawrence County Concert Series.

“Salaam” is the Arabic word for “peace,” chosen as the name for this ensemble by its founder, Chicago-born Iraqi-American Dena El Saffar, to confirm her commitment to tolerance and understanding among people.

El Saffar began learning the violin at the age of 6. At 17, completely engaged in classical music, she accompanied her father to Baghdad and became enchanted by the music of Iraq and the Middle East.

In 1993, while obtaining a classical music degree from Indiana University, Dena founded the group Salaam, and has performed throughout the United States. She plays the viola, violin, joza and kemanche, with Central Eurasian ensembles, salsa groups, bluegrass, blues and rock bands.

Married to percussionist Tim Moore, she is a mother of two.

Tim grew up in the Midwest and began playing drums at age 12. After earning a computer science degree from Indiana University in 1989, he worked on the East and West coasts as a computer programmer, but in 1993 left to devote himself to music.

Tim learned rhythms and instruments from around the world, and now focuses on Middle East percussion.

Salaam has delighted audiences for years with its expansive repertoire of Middle Eastern and North African music.

Salaam is true to the traditions, informing the uninitiated, and evoking nostalgia in listeners who are familiar with the art form.

What sets Salaam apart is the versatility of its musicians, whose deep knowledge of Eastern and Western styles gives them the flexibility to move effortlessly between genres. The sound, while rooted in maqam (the modal system used throughout the Middle East), infuses tasteful forays into jazz, rock, blues, classical and avant garde.

Tickets are $10 at the door.