About Me
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ULTRA WORLD X-TET performs an exotic, soulful and trippy fusion of East and West for the 21st Century. The band includes Saxophone and Bamboo Flutes, Bass, Percussion, Guzheng (Chinese Zither) and Electric Guitar. Based in San Francisco, the group’s brand of high energy Psychedelic World Jazz casts an electrifying spell.
The band originated and developed their sound working a regular gig at a small jazz club in downtown San Francisco. Word of mouth from this gig led to other opportunities, including concerts at Herbst Theater, performances at S.F. City Hall, events for the S.F. Symphony, and other high profile performances. We have just released our first CD, MOON AND LEGEND which is starting to receive some airplay on Independent and College FM. The X-tet's performances are a colorful blend of Jazz, Chinese, Psychedelic, Funk, Blues, Latin, Middle Eastern and Ambient textures. This is a fresh, new San Francisco sound. Check it out!
Musician Bios:
Gary Schwantes-Saxophone, Bamboo Flutes, Electric Guitar
Gary Schwantes has toured and recorded 2 CDs with North Carolina based Hip Bones. He is founder of Ultra World X-tet, and has performed with S.F. Guzheng Music Society, Klezmania, Pam Tillis, Lou Harrison, Allen Ginsberg, John Cipolina, Animal Vegetable Television and many others.
He has performed on many recordings and released a CD with Chinese composer Gang Situ. He has composed music and done sound design for many organizations including Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company, Mickey Hart, Craig Baldwin, Dimensions Dance Theater, ACT, and S.F. Legion of Honor.
Weishan Liu-Guzheng (Chinese Zither)
Weishan Liu (劉ç¶å§) is a guzheng master performer, composer and educator.
She was born in China and began training in the classical style with guzheng master Cao Zheng. She later also studied under Yan Li and Zhao Yuzhai.
Performing her original composition "The Magnificent Bronze Gorge" at the Chinese National Traditional Music Competition, she won first prizes in both the composition and performance categories. She went on to become the top guzheng soloist with the Central Song and Dance Ensemble of China, recording, performing and touring with them. In addition to her own CDs, she has recorded on soundtracks for such contemporary films as "Dim Sum," "Eat a Bowl of Tea," "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story," "Indiana Jones," and "Thousand Pieces of Gold." Her popularity as a great Guzheng performer has led to tours in the United States and more than 20 other countries.
Raymond Froehlich-Percussion
Raymond Froehlich is a member of the San Francisco Symphony and has performed internationally with the orchestra. He has recorded on many of the Symphony’s Grammy award winning recordings. He has also played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood and in 1998 was percussion soloist in the celebrated Salzburg Festival production of Messiaen’s opera Saint François d'Assise, conducted by Kent Nagano. In addition to his orchestra work, Ray has been in demand as a percussionist for Rock, Jazz and Experimental groups.
Doug Ebert-Bass
Doug Ebert was a fixture in the Milwaukee, WI jazz
community, appearing regularly at the esteemed Jazz Estate, and
larger venues such as Summerfest, Jazz In The Park and the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX. His resume includes stints with the Jason Seed Elixir Ensemble, the EMP trio, various jazz, latin jazz ,salsa groups, and avant-jazz groups. In 2007, Mr. Ebert released his first solo album, "Times Change", and later in that same year he relocated to San Francisco.
David Keif-Bass
David Keif is an L.A. Session veteran who has performed and recorded with Mark Lindsay, Rita Coolidge, Etta James, Freida Payne, Carla Olson,
Darlene Love and the Platters and on many TV shows and movies.
Winnie Wong-Guzheng (Chinese Zither)
Winnie Wong has performed extensively in the Bay Area, including many large concerts and for many of S.F. Chinatown's festivals. She has appeared in theatrical productions and recorded on CDs and for television. Winnie is a respected guzheng teacher and is co-founder of China Spirit Musical Organization which is very active in the SF Bay Area providing education and training in traditional Chinese music and producing large scale concerts.
Jie Ma-Pipa (Chinese Lute)
Jie Ma graduated from Tian Jin Conservatory of Music with a degree in Music Performance and immediately earned an adjunct professorship in the music department of Liao Ning Normal University, China. Following her tenure at the University, Jie moved to the United States. She has performed in numerous arenas in China, Japan and the United States. Her diverse repertoire includes Chinese music of both classical and folk traditions, contemporary music, jazz fusion, as well as free style improvisations
Dominic Cabrera-Percussion
Percussionist Dominic Cabrera arrived in San Francisco from the Philippines by way of New York City. NYC club appearances include dates at the Mercury lounge, Arleen's Grocery, Baby Jupiter, Fez, and The Knitting Factory. In addition to the downtown scene, Dominic also performed in dance-theater pieces, most notably "Amerigrant" at Lincoln Center and "Thirteen Movements for Mother" at Brooklyn Arts Exchange. His percussive styling can be heard on many independent releases and as part of the Cuban-music sound track to the independent film "Media Noche."
