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Rajamani

Life is so simple, people make it so complicated

About Me

Oliver Rajamani, is a renowned world music artist who is credited for keeping alive: the ancient vanishing Tamil folk music and Culture, and the nomadic and devotional musical styles of India. Music critics have distinguished Rajamani as an "artist who has redefined Gypsy Music by taking it back to India (homeland of the Roma Gypsy) to its original roots" and "literally destroying borders." Music is ultimately of the heart and spirit and thus it is said it is the universal language uniting all living beings on earth, universe and beyond. Music is also everchanging as culture and humans are also everchanging. But the spirit always remains the same.The music of Rajamani is of so called many traditions and not of any one tradition. Thus it unites all human beings spiritually.stripping one of all illusions to lead you back into your heart and soul. It is a sound that is at once foreign and familiar. Drawing upon ancient Eastern traditions, his music resonates in a deep place within its listeners, while remaining accessible and satisfying to the Western ear.Rajamani's live shows are spiritually uniting and melodically soothing, rhythmically energizing, technically breathtaking and historically educating. Rajamani's music crosses many cultural, religious, and musical boundaries. Its spiritual essence allows people from different ethnic backgrounds and belief systems to connect to their own true spiritual identityThe sounds and rhythms that flow naturally out of Rajamani are an essence of his own diary of his life thru birth, travel, education and spirituality. The musical styles range from India, Middle East, European Roma, Latin, Africa, to North American folk, and also includes music of the nomads of India. These Indian nomadic tribes stretch all the way from the South of India into the Middle East such as the Dom and into the European Rom (also derogatorily known as Gypsies) tribes.Rajamani has created his own music by arranging traditional folk songs chronicling their historic path and by adding new compositions not found anywhere else on the globe. Rajamani is certainly a rare breed. When most artists spend their lifetime mastering one style of music or instrument, Rajamani is comfortable with many. Indian, Middle Eastern, and Gypsy music from percussion instruments to strings to voice and composition have come to him with much ease.Hailing from India, Rajamani has the magic and spirit of the Indian music and the fire and passion of the Gypsy music in his blood and it flows naturally out of him as one can see at his live shows.Born in India, Oliver Rajamani grew up in a family that loved music and dance. He began performing informally at the age of four, and was encouraged early on to develop his natural gifts in music. Over the years, Rajamani studied classical and contemporary music, often in unique settings. Oliver studied tabla and mirdhangam at a early age. His most recent tabla guru was the internationally renowned Pandit Aloke Dutta. Rajamani was exposed to Tamil folk music and trance music, ancient frame drumming (Tappu) of the Dravidian culture of south India from a very early age. He was also exposed to Tamil christian songs, as well as studied western classical music, performed in many jazz and rock bands while attending Kodaikanal international school in South India.Rajamani also learned flamenco guitar from spending time around flamenco masters and Roma Gypsy flamencos. He learned by first playing cajon and mastering the rhythmic base of flamenco and later playing the guitar and learning the raw melodic base to flamenco. Rajamani's vocal skills came naturally also by growing up in India around beautiful songs and singers in the family and also being around Middle Eastern and Gypsy singers. He has studied classical Indian voice from Snigdha Mishra.Rajamani has done extensive traveling in Greece and Israel studying the Roma Gypsy communities and their music as well as Greek and Arabic music. He has also worked in the Romani Congress (U.N. Representation for the Roma Gypsy's).Rajamani performs on these instruments: sarod (Indian lute); oud; dumbek; deff; cajon; flamenco guitar; rubab; tabla; and various other Indian folk instruments in addition to his extraordinary vocals.Rajamani has performed and recorded with internationally known artists such as Glen Velez, Gypsy Kings,Lara and Reyes, Arthur Brown (the God of Hell Fire), Aloke Dutta and many other traditional world music, folk, rock n roll, andcountry artists. He has given musical accompaniment for great poets and story tellers such as Coleman Barks, Robert Bly and David Whyte on stage. He has also performed for the Maharaja of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh II and has been interviewed by the BBC World-NPR radio station with Steven Cuves. In Austin Texas, Rajamani performs with the “Cowbos and Indians” led by Bob Livingston, “CO2” and “Circle of Light” led by Tina Marsh, and Anuradha Naimpalli, amongst many other projects.

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Music:

Member Since: 12/18/2005
Band Website: oliverrajamani.com
Band Members: Luiz Carlos Coutinho (congas, bongos, cajon) Coutinho is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This superb Brazilian percussionist has been performing since the age of seven touring regularly with various Afro-Brazilian musical acts such as Thomas Lima and Orchestra, Banda Caffe, Maracatamba, Afro cultural Groupo Olodumwith master Neguinho Do Samba, Yamenja and many others. In North America, Coutinho has offered his unique percussive talents to various musical groups ranging from traditions such as Brazilian, African, Reggae, Cuban, Salsa, Middle Eastern, Indian and Gypsy.Alex Coke (flute, alto saxophone) an improvisor at heart, has been performing internationally and nationally with renowned Jazz and other musicians such as Willem Breuker Kollektief, Gerald Wilson, Charles Tolliver, Tina Marsh, Paradise Regained Orchestra, Trio Henk de Jonge, John Jordan Trio, Mysterious Quartet From Helsinki, and Greezy Wheels. His recent release of “Wkae up Dead Man/Iraqnophobia” spotlights humanitarian causes.John Bradley Houser (Bass guitar, Sentir) Mr. Brad Houser is a passionate and provocative bassist, saxophonist playing some sick (as Brad would say it) bass lines for Rajamani's music. He plays the Sentir the Moroccan bass stringed instrument also. He has also travelled with the world musician Bashir Attar. Brad is also a member of Critters Buggin' and bassist for Edie Brickell.Steve Marcum (percussion) Steve is a Califoria native with an active background in performance art and dance. Steve began playing percussion for dance classes and further inspirations came from attending West African drum workshop with master drummer Baba Olatunji. Since then he has continued the study and performance of other world musical styles ranging from Brazil, the Caribbean, and under the guidance of Rajamani India, Middle East and Spain. Along with Rajamani's ensemble he also currently plays with the well-established Afro-Brazilian band Sambaxe. He is also known for doing children's programs including the popular Mr. Steve Drum Show Extravaganza.Nagavalli Medicharla (voice) Nagavalli is from Bombay, India. Miss Valli has studied Indian Classical voice since early childhood in India. Her soulful voice brings tears to one's eyes. She has sung on the Indian Doordharshan TV and All India Radio.Sean Orr (violin) Sean Orr is a violinist which much soul and passion. He has been moving crowds with his soulful and fast violin bowing around the United States. He has played from traditional country to Irish/Celtic to Western Swing to Rock n Roll styles of music. He has lived in Saudi Arabia as a child and his violin playing for Oliver Rajamani brings back memories of his early childhood in the Middle East. Besides his superb violin skills, he is also a very accomplished classical guitarist. Visit Sean's SiteJoey Santori (bass, cello , percussion) Joey has been pursuing music since childhood. Besides being a soulful bassist, Joey also is a talented cellist and plays various other ethnic instruments from around the globe as well as paint. Joey performs with The Alpha Rhythm as well has leads his own musical group.Elisa Rodriguez (flamenco and belly dance) Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Elisa Rodriguez began dancing ballet at age 15. By age 19 she had enrolled in Ballet Austin’s academy where she trained for four years and performed in several ballets with the company. She discovered flamenco and after graduating from The University of Texas in Austin, she moved to Seville, Spain where she lived and perfected flamenco for seven years. She has studied with many amazing artists and choreographers such as Manolo Marin, Manuel Betanzos, Pilar Ortega, Adela Campallo, Pastora Galvan, El Torombo, La Canela, and completed workshops with Javier Latorre and Maria del Mar Moreno. She toured Canada in 2003, as the guest soloist in the production Spain Meets Canada II, under the direction of Kari Alba. As a belly dancer, Elisa also studied in Seville with Barbara Baretto from Brazil, and has performed in several Moroccan establishments in Spain and in the USA. Elisa continues to incorporate Middle Eastern dance in her own choreographies. She holds her Pilates certification with Polestar Education and has created the Andalusi Dance Class to promote health through movement.Purna Bajekal (Indian folk and classical bharatnatyam dance) b3Purna has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She continues to enjoy studying and performing many styles of dance such as ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop as well as traditional Indian Bharata Natyam. In addition to dancing, Purna loves to sing! She studies dance at Austin Dance India with her mother, Anuradha Naimpally. Purna performs on a dance team and has participated in many festivals and multicultural events around Central Texas.
Influences: Nature, silence, spirit,Tamil nomadic and folk music of India, and other folk and nomadic styles from India,Tamil Christian music, Traditional European Roma Gypsy music, Traditional Dom Gypsy music of MiddleEast, Afghani Pastun folk music, Flamenco, North African music, Middle Eastern music, American spiritual and folk music,
Sounds Like: Rajamani
Type of Label: None

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Rajamani new release

Rajamani new release double album:  Forty Days and Forty nights available on myspace.com.  ...
Posted by Rajamani on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:17:00 PST