Member Since: 7/24/2005
Band Website: http://www.arabesk.com.au
Band Members: !--START CODE IN BAND MEMBERS --! !-Start Div Overlay Content Block-! myspace code tutorials by Eileen !-Close 3 layers of cell/row/table. This puts our Div ONE table deep. !-Create and size our div. We will never close this div. It will close when the containing table closes-! !!! MODIFY width to the SAME width as your core image !!! !----START CUSTOM CONTENT BLOCK 1----!
add : email : view friends : home
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 “gypsy†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.
top
--Choose Album--