On 6/12/07, Cheryl Shipman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Can we all please remember Crossroads Music, which was at Calvary Center before Curio (not that anyone is making comparisons.) Ross will remind you if you forget as that's where he developed his undying love for Tuvan Throat Singers.
Speaking of the Tuvan Throat Singers, they're coming back, Monday, June 18, at 7pm to the Rotunda. Remember, though, that the Rotunda is TOTALLY controlled by Penn, whereas Crossroads Music is only a front group, if I have all my conspiracies and funding sources straight. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuvan throat singers share stage with local musicians Traditional performance from Central Asia meets local music at The Rotunda * * PHILADELPHIA - On Monday, June 18, 2007 at 7pm, The Rotunda will present a performance like none that we --- or most venues in the United States --- have held in the past. [image: pictured: alash rooftop]<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=dztbbacab.0.vfqh54bab.fxvcllbab.2593&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alashensemble.com%2F>The throat singing ensemble Alash will bring the unique music of the Central Asian Republic of Tuva to Philadelphia for a 7:00 pm concert at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. The event is open to the public for free, though donations are encouraged. All ages are welcome. For this special event, Philadelphia Jazz/improvisation mainstays Marshall Allen, Elliot Levin, and other members of Sun Ra Arkestra, going by the name EXTRA SPECIAL TERRESTRIAL GUESTS, will share the stage with our Tuvan guests! Tuva is a small Russian Republic in eastern Siberia, bordering Mongolia. At various times, the area has been part of Manchuria and Mongolia, and became part of the Soviet Union 60 years ago. The remote location and Soviet-era travel restrictions limited visitors, but also allowed Tuvans to preserve their unique musical traditions. Throat singing developed among Tuva's semi-nomadic herders. Because throat singing produces a musical sound that carries over long distances, the music became a way for shepherds, yak herders and horsemen to entertain each other and communicate across vast areas. In throat singing, a single vocalist produces two distinct pitches simultaneously. The sounds of whistling birds, bubbling streams, howling wolves, blowing wind, and horses cantering across the wild, open land are often incorporated into the music, which is also closely tied to Tuvan spiritual beliefs. Alash, founded in 1999 at the Kyzyl Arts College in the capital city of Tuva, toured North America for the first time in Spring 2006. Originally known as Changy-Xaya, Alash<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=dztbbacab.0.vfqh54bab.fxvcllbab.2593&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alashensemble.com%2F>learned about traditional Tuvan music from their families as well as the well-known master Xoomeizhi Kongar-ool Ondar, as they also began to learn about Western classical music and such concepts as harmony, theory, and staff notation. [image: pictured: alash ensemble] The ensemble performs on seldom played traditional Tuvan instruments and hybrids as well as violins and cellos. They find these Western instruments appealing, and have begun exploring the new sound worlds that have arisen from their unique, dual musical consciousness. Ensemble member Mai-ool Sedip says"We are inspired by the music of our grandparents, and their grandparents, and all the great Tuvan and Central Asian musicians of the post-Soviet era - Tuva Ensemble, Huun-Huur-Tu, Chirgilchin, Sarymai, Andrei Mongush and Alexander Sarzhat-ool. We are also influenced by Sun Ra and Jimi Hendrix. We compose new songs, and arrange songs that we remember from childhood, such as Saryglar.' " Members of Alash are: Kongar-ool Ondar, artistic director (not traveling with the group this tour); Bady-Dorzhu Ondar -- Vocals, igil, doshpuluur;Ayan-ool Sam: guitar, vocals, doshpuluur, chanzy, igil: Mai-ool Sedip -- vocals, byzaanchy, limpi; Ayan Shirizhik --vocals, murgu, shoor, kengirge, xapchyk, dunggur; and Sean Quirk, interpreter and manager. Info on some of the EXTRA SPECIAL TERRESTRIAL GUESTS After joining the Sun Ra Arkestra<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=dztbbacab.0.aoundacab.fxvcllbab.2593&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elrarecords.com%2F>in 1958, Marshall Allen (alto saxophonist, multi- instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, arranger) led Sun Ra Arkestra's formidable reed section for over 40 years. As a featured soloist with the Arkestra, he pioneered the avante-garde jazz movement of the early 60s. Marshall<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=dztbbacab.0.boundacab.fxvcllbab.2593&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elrarecords.com%2Fma.html>was one of the first jazz musicians to play traditional African music and what is now called "world music." He is featured on over 200 Sun Ra releases, as well as appearing with Phish, Sonic Youth, Diggable Planets, Medeski, Martin & Wood, et al. Marshall assumed the helm of the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1995 and continues to reside at the Sun Ra Residence in Philadelphia, composing, writing and arranging. Elliot Levin (flutes, saxophones, words) was born and raised in Philadelphia, pursuing early studies with Michael Guerra (legendary saxist/ clarinetist of Phila. Orchestra under Stokowski); and composer/ flutist Claire Polin (collaborator with flute innovater William Kincaid). For Elliot<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=dztbbacab.0.coundacab.fxvcllbab.2593&ts=S0252&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.radical3over2.com%2Felliott%2Flevin.html>, studies with masters- pianist/improvisor/ composer Cecil Taylor; and later with saxophonist/improviser/ composer Odean Pope- led to long time relationships of performing and recording with their ensembles. A member of many groups in Phila/NYC area over the past 30 years, he has continued to work with his own ensembles as well. -- Ross Bender http://rossbender.org
