Medicine Woman Roots Ensemble is the rhythm and blues project of singer and guitarist Deborah C. Smith and cellist Leyla McCalla. Born of a desire to create original songs that tell stories of their ancestors through rhythmic & percussive blues and soul, the group has ebbed and flowed through one year of experimentation with the help of drummer Chauncey Yearwood, guitarist Lucas Papaelias, saxophonist Maria Eisen and many other friends joining in to help shape the music. Accoustic guitars, cello and drums comprise the sound-scape and the foundation for the heavy grooves.
In 2007, MWRE rocked venues throughout Brooklyn including Zebulon, Rose Live Music and Bembe working out their new tunes, and performing with Amayo's Fu-Arkist-Ra and the Pimps of Joytime. They shared the stage with master bata drummer Michael Skinkus for a St. Patrick's Day performance at the Dragon's Den in New Orleans and have played numerous smaller shows around New York.
2008 brings a whole new batch of songs, new players in the ensemble and a gearing up for Summer festivals. For booking for more information, contact [email protected] o m.
The art of being a Medicine Woman has not been lost.
Each Nation, tribe and village had medicine people; whether male or female was of no consequence. Children who were born with the gift of healing were taken by the medicine person as a young child and taught healing ways. They were taught to recognize the healing plants, trees, roots, berries and wild herbs. They were taught how to make poultices, teas and other healing foods. They were taught how to make music.
Medicine Women
