Sound of the ground

MyWackoSpace MySpace Comments MySpace Editor MySpace Icons Contact MySpace TableRenowned musician, David Dudu Balilty, blends music from around the globe into an ecelctic he calls the Sound of the Ground. A mix of traditional and contemporary, Sound of the Ground brings world beats, jazz and blues beyond the confines of genre, creating a new strain in the evolution of world music. Performing with reggae man Alpha Blondy, celebrated trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, and saxophonist Frank Foster, David has played concerts and recorded tracks with some of the most influential musicians of this era. Sound of the Ground has met with critical acclaim and received tremendous public support.Born in Israel, David Balilty was exposed to an array of styles, ranging from mainstream to traditional middle-eastern music. At age fourteen he took to the tablas and began a band with his brother Simon (guitarist). In 1991, he left for London with the intention of expanding his musical repertoire. There he met and performed with international artists who encouraged his musical endeavors. After relocating to Berlin he organized festivals and free shows, notably at Snappy Bar, before continuing on to Italy, performing on stage and in bars with well-known local DJ’s.On his return to Israel, he reconnected with his brothers, Simon and Ami, and began recording the original tunes of Sound Of The Ground; a name that would carry him across continents. In 1992, he took part in a two day concert located at the base of the Qumran Caves, the former discovery site of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The concert was filmed and later televised by the Jerusalem Film Board.David Balilty returned to London in 1993, where he had a fateful encounter with Sekou Sousou, a renowned player of the Cora (an instrument originating in Gambia), an experience, which would provide continual inspiration for his work in the coming years.In 1995 David moved to South Africa and established a drumming school, The Drum Café. There he gave percussion lessons, hosted live shows, and performed with various well-known artists including, Steve Newman, Pops Mohammed and Brazil Coutzil.By 1999, David returned to Israel and produced Jerusalem Sound of the Ground, a six-track cd which holds true to the musical roots of his homeland. Jerusalem Sound of the Ground performed a two-day concert at Peace Mountain overlooking the city of Jerusalem, where international artists united in support of peace and liberty. From this show Balilty compiled a live cd, and recorded: Israel and Palestine, composed by Nino Biton, is an interpretation of the classic Moroccan song, appealing to the Abrahamic roots of both cultures. The song was an immediate success with local and international audiences. Multiple artists took part in this concert including: pianist Jason Linder (New York), drummer Daniel Freedman (New York), bassist Omar Avital (Israel), banjo player and vocalist Nino Biton (Morocco), saxophonist Ami Balilty (Israel), and jembe player Ilan Katchka (Israel).Over the course of the next year, David went on to produce various records with musicians from Morocco, Brazil, and South Africa. In 2000, David returned to London, where he resided for three years, assembling a new collective of artists to perform with Sound of the Ground. A benefit concert at the British National History Museum raising funds for undernourished children of Africa, left audiences the world over in awe.Two years later, Balilty co-recorded on Ninja Tunes, one of London’s top labels, an album with DJ Vadim. He performed with The Children of the Land at Cargo, later playing at such venues as Momo Restaurant, Café Royal, Covent Garden, the National History Museum and Jackson Lane Community Center. While in London, David participated in a television series focused on artists dedicated to multiculturalism, which was later televised in Germany. In addition to producing live shows and studio recordings, David also took part in a radio series entitled BBC Wall with DJ Vadim.In 2003, David hit the Canadian east coast bringing with him the sounds of the nations. In Halifax he compiled an album with various performers including pianist Silvio Popper and saxophonist Don Palmer.Now in Montreal, Sound of the Ground, has formed into an eclectic mix including: jimbe player Abdulai Kone, talking drum by Ibrahim Diabate, harmonica by Levy Bourbonnais, drums by Sacha Daoud and alto sax by Cameron Wallis. They have played at Quai des Brume and Balattou, opened the show at the Magreb festival, and, most recently performed a live show, in alliance with Radio-Canada, mixing Jewish and Arabic traditional music, which was broadcast around the world.