Member Since: 7/24/2005
Band Website: http://www.arabesk.com.au
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Putting Some Gypsy In Your Soul!
One of the most rewarding aspects of living in a
multicultural society like Australia is the remarkable diversity of
music that we now get to hear. African, Eastern European, Arabic, Latin,
to list just a few - these are the rhythms and melodies of a vast global
symphony that has done so much to enrich our own musical landscape.
Arabesk’ are a Sydney based quartet who have adopted many of
these disparate international sounds and moulded them into their own
unique style. Theirs is a journey of constant discovery that has taken
them from the tradition steeped back streets of Eastern bustling bazaars of Turkey. Added to this potent worldly brew are a list
of influences that include luminaries such as guitarist Django
Reinhardt, jazz drummer Elvin Jones, Tango master Astor Piazzola and
bassist Stanley Clarke.
Calvin Welch: International Renowned Drummer
/ Percussionist
Michigan, USA born Has been playing drums since
the early 70’s. Toured USA & Europe in the 70’s with the likes of Sonny
Stitt, Eddie Russ, Bob Crawfords Jazz Masters, The Patterns, Grant
Green. Calvin has played with the best not only overseas but here in
Australia. Since coming to Australia from Los Angeles in 1988, Calvin
has toured with Kevin Borich, Marc Hunter, Renee Geyer, Buddy Guy, The
Party Boys featuring Joe Walsh from the Eagles, Guy Strazzulu and
Matthew Doyle, Marcia Hines, Gary Symulin, Carl Orr, Christine Anu, The
Hippos, Coloured Stone, Colin Offord, Marva Wright, Harry Manx, Michael
Wheatley, Professor Groove, Jackie Orzascky & the list goes on.
Robert Shannon: Guitarist / D’rrbuka
Central West NSW born. Played drum kit from early teens. Studied
tabla in New Delhi for eight years, with his Guru Shree Gladwin Charles,
studying in the traditional Gurakal (teacher/student) and began a new
found love affair with Hindustani Classical Music. During this time he
per- formed with local world ensembles NAC (New Acoustic Collective),
Trio Roshani, Ju Ju (Melbourne based Indo Fusion band), H..Sydney based
Kurdish Indo fusion). Rob plays various styles of Jazz, focusing on the
music of Django Reinhardt, leading his band The Straight Back Fellows
for 4 years. This band housed some of the great Australian Jazz players,
George Washingmachine, Ben Jones, John Morrison, Brad Childs, John
Blenkhorn, Nigel and Ian Date, to name but a few.
Veren Grigorov: Viola / Violin
Bulgarian born. From a musical family, Veren has played the violin from
a very early age. He studied at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney,
and various music schools in Europe. Since arriving in the early 80’s,
from Bulgaria, Veren has toured with the chamber orchestras, played with
INXS and composed as well as performed music for productions such as The
Golem (Director Barrie Kosky), King Lear (Sydney Theatre Company) and A
Midsummer Night’s Dream (director Baz Luhrmann). Played with Sydney
based band Four Play and has written music for TV programmes, and
commercials.
James Haselwood: Double Bass
New
England NSW born. The youngest of the crew, has spent most of his
performing years, playing electric bass and has a natural talent for
double bass. Having completed his Bachelor of Contemporary Music, at
Southern Cross University in Lismore James played with Panjea an afro
funk band from USA/Zimbabwe touring around Australia, then to New Mexico
for NYE festivities. Returning to play Steve Edmonds band, The
Disassociatives, Harry Manx, Paul Mac, Professor Groove, Darren Paul,
Abby Dobson, Jade Macrae, Jenny Morris, Tania Bowra, The Ratpack, Lilly
Dior, Virna Sanzone, Velvet Fog, Natalie Imbruglia and Alex Lloyd.
With such a wealth of musical experience it’s little
wonder Arabesk’ are such a powerhouse of invention and innovation, fused
with constant hypnotic rhythms and laced with the lushness of violins
and guitars. Their music has been likened to a series of “conversations
across the ages†where all kinds of traditions converge into a modern
day celebration of intoxicating global grooves. Judging by the enormous
reception they received at the recent Gaudience across all age groups, it’s obvious they have hit upon a true
international language.
Debuting at The Basement back in 2003,
the band have played at an amazing variety of venues including The Opera
Bar, The Vanguard, The Metro, The Chapel Theatre in Glen Innes and The
Mad Cow Theatre on the Central Coast. Needless to say they have been in
constant demand on the burgeoning Australian festival circuit with
appearances at Peats Ridge, The Iron Fest at Lithgow, a rapturous
reception at Great Escape 2006 and crowds packed their gigs at the
Woodford Folk Festival 06/07.
Arabesk’ play a brand of
music that is often described as Gypsy Soul. For those looking to embark
on a journey of authentic musical exploration, not contained by any
cultural boundary, they are a band guaranteed to put some real “gypsyâ€
in your “soulâ€.
Music
Arabesk's music follows many paths at
anyone time. Like a river it is fed from many different tributries to
form the whole, drawing upon strong jazz influences... Django Reinhardt,
Wes Montgomery, Eastern European Gypsy/ Classical music, upon a back
drop of heavily African and Arabic influenced rhythms. At any moment it,
will swing hard, only to drop into a thick funk pumped bass line, all
the while the violin floating above it . The drums hammer and thunder
beats reminicent of Motown, Blue note and Afro Cuban jazz.
Formed
in 2003 in Sydney Australia the band comprises of four highly
accomplished musicians. They have performed at The Basement,The
Vanguard, The Factory, Opera Bar, Melt Bar. Also appearing at Festivals,
Peats Ridge, The Great Escape, Woodford, The Aroma Fest', Jazz and
Shiraz Fest', Bundaberg Multi cultural Fest' and all over Rural NSW, QLD
and Victoria.
Mix it up ! Call it World music, call it what
you want, but Arabesk is undeniable in it's originality, energy and
ability to thrill it's audience.
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