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David Rhodes brings together his classical piano training, his experience in jazz and folk groups, his study of world music traditions and his love of devotional music into a unique musical vision. He shapes an acoustic mosaic of piano, harmonium, various strings and zithers, emulator, voice and percussion, which honors the emotive authenticity of world traditions, and the values of modern music production. He is awed by the muse's mysterious power to influence us, and aspires to music that "evokes the memory of that which we thought was lost." David has produced several recordings of his compositions and arrangements with various groups, including the critically acclaimed "TRACES OF EDEN" and the recent release "MOONBIRDS" with Rick Eiro Yamashiro. David is also a composer and sound designer for film and video production.
Rick Eiro Yamashiro is a flautist, reedman, vocalist and composer who brings a rare fluidity and soul to his performances. A versatile improviser and and musical raconteur, Rick's primary creative muse is the interactive presence of the live audience. His influences are many, including John Coltrane, Hubert Laws, traditional Japanese and Chinese music, the Chieftains and Claude Debussy. His musical quest is one of "music as means to freedom" and "musician as healer." Rick has performed and toured with many world beat groups including Zulu Spear, and was co-founder of the seminal 90's Bay Area trance band SOULSTICE.
Rick and David appear together, and with musical friends on percussion, tamboura, keyboards and vocals, throughout the Bay Area and Santa Cruz in Northern California, and can be reached at , 408.395.1675, or PO Box 944, Los Gatos, CA 95031-0944.
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"MOONBIRDS" is their new recording of original music which paints an acoustic canvas of lush textures, strong themes and supple improvisation. It expresses the devotional impulse through both ancient timbres - bamboo flutes and gu zheng of East Asia; harmonium, swar mandal and tamboura of the Subcontinent; voices of the Sufi Qawwalis and Gregorian Chants; flute music of the Lakota prairie - and modern tonalities - flute, soprano sax, blues harp, voices, strings, piano, digital sampler and percussion. This recording finds new common ground among the traditions of the East - India, Pakistan, China and Japan - and contemporary instrumental music, as expressed through a 21st century conversation between the sacred and the profane.
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Recording was begun in 1999 on the next CD, tentatively titled DEEP GREEN, a recording of material inspired by Celtic and Gypsy folk music, and underpinned with a vital rhythmic pulse. Please stay tuned for future information about recordings, performances, concerts, events and MBM news.
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