Ginkgo Biloba World Music

************************************************************ ** Percussionist Ali Soltanshahi is a citizen of the world; born in Tehran, Iran in a music loving family; raised in Strasbourg, France, and educated in St. Louis, MO (USA) where he resides, Ali founded G i n k g o * B i l o b a * World * Music (www.myspace.com/gb4world) in 2005 to promote cross-cultural awareness through music as music is truly an international language that knows no frontier.Blessed with many international friends, Ali has always been exposed to different cultures and therefore has developed a sensitivity and appreciation for DIVERSITY. The interactions with the citizens of the world have stimulated his appetite for the MUSIC OF THE WORLD specifically ethnic percussion instruments.Ali enjoys playing the Cajon (Spanish Box Drum), Doumbek (Middle-Eastern drum), Udu drum (Clay Pot), Congas/bongos (Latin Percussion), and the Tombak (or Zarb, Persian goblet drum) and brings a solid groove and coloration to the ensemble.Over the years, Ali has played with several world music groups such as "Acoustic Internote", "Farshid Etniko" and "Autumn's Child". He has recorded with "Group Mediteraneo", "Farshid Etniko", "Sandy Weltman & the Klezmer Nuthouse", "Beth Tuttle", and "Autumn's Child". Ali regularly performs with "Autumn’s Child" featuring Native American flutist Mark Holland.**************************************************** ********** Complex rhythms, tasteful solos, and catchy melody lines define Aaron Burlbaw’s gracious personality on the lead guitar. His dedication to music has allowed him to travel the world without leaving the United States.Aaron supports "Ginkgo" by arranging music and organizing recordings. He uses Novo-Flamenco (non-traditional flamenco) techniques on a nylon-stringed guitar.Aaron has been performing for 7 years in the St. Louis area and has released 4 albums (including 2 DVDs) with "Dionysia". He regularly performs with a Latin jazz group he founded with Paul Quinn called "Menache" and with "Farshid Etniko".**************************************************** **********Vocalist Megan Rooney, born and raised in St. Louis, has been singing for the past 8 years with various groups in Columbia MO, Austin TX, and most recently St. Louis. After finishing her Master’s degree in Behavioral Health, Megan decided to focus her efforts on music, as a performer and recording artist. She is currently writing and recording original material while singing live with "Ginkgo Biloba". Megan began singing with "Ginkgo" after hearing them play in early 2006. A long time lover of Latin style music, including bossanova, salsa, and samba, she found the music captivating and is elated to be playing with this talented (and handsome) group of musicians!************************************************** ************With a nylon-string classical guitar, Paul Quinn supports Ginkgo by setting a layer of melodic background around Ali's percussive groove.Paul was born in Fenton, MO and started playing the guitar at the age of 15. While earning a degree in engineering, he studied music under Duke Michalak and greatly expanded his source of musical influence working as a disc jockey at a free-format college radio station.Paul performs regularly with "Menache" and has played bass guitar with Dionysia for the past 4 years. He has recorded two projects with "Dionysia": Mentality (2006) and Laid Back at the Sheldon (2005).***************************************************** ********* Michael Loveman has traveled the world and lived abroad in several countries. Originally from Cleveland Ohio, he began playing the piano at the age of 8. He has studied music at Naropa University, Berkley College of Music and SIU-Edwardsville. While living in Recife, Brazil, Michael recorded his debut album with “A Roda”. Michael regularly performs with Samba Bom. With Ginkgo Biloba, Michael performs mainly the accordion, the Rhodes electric piano, and the melodica. ************************************************************ ** Rachel Parkin, violinist, grew up in a family of professional musicians, actors, and historians. She began Suzuki violin studies at age four and enjoyed a happy childhood full of music, dance, books, and entertaining people. She was the concertmistress of her high school orchestra, a member of Illinois’ All-State Orchestra for 2 years, and played in the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. She has played other instruments along the way (French horn, Xylophone, piano, etc.) but has always returned to the violin as her primary instrument. As a young adult she flattered her parents by embracing their professions, becoming a historian with a particular interest in non-western cultures (she is graduating with a history degree in May), and a lifelong music lover and performer. Music represents people's stories and provides a perfect window for a historian/cultural geographer to view the richness and diversity of life. Adding world music to her classical music background has allowed Rachel to bring together many of her loves and interests, including adding to her repertoire of interesting people. Rachel’s violin was made by William Harris Lee of Chicago. ************************************************************ **