|
2009 Festival Sponsors |
|||
 |
 |
 |
2009 Lotus World Music & Arts Festival / Artist Bios & Media
 |
Rahim AlHaj |
| • Website | |
 |
Deborah Asante with Lawrence Clark
|
| back to top |
 |
Bajofondo (underground) was created by Argentinean Gustavo Santaolalla and Uruguayan Juan Campodónico to create “contemporary music of the Rio de la Plata,” the body of water that separates the two countries. A mash-up of tango instrumentation, scratch, electronic samples and beats, and image projections, Bajofondo is anything but traditional. Santaolalla, an Academy Award and Golden Globe winner for his Brokeback Mountain and Babel soundtracks, says, “We are doing contemporary music, music that expresses the urban landscapes of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Obviously tango will be present there. But milonga, candonga, murga . . . and rock, hip-hop and electronica are also part of the genetic map of this place” (NY Times). Sponsored in part by the IU Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies; Women of Lotus |
| • MySpace | |
 |
BLK JKS (black jacks) are already familiar with Bloomington: they’ve recently signed to the Bloomington-based indie label Secretly Canadian, and recorded their first full-length CD, After Robots, here last January. This young quartet has been making waves and swimming their own way since they came together in Johannesburg. “An avant-garde group in the best sense of the word, BLK JKS crafts a chaotic sound that's impossible to pin to one genre: psychedelic rock, jazz, blues, metal or reggae. The group crams it all into an undeniably catchy African dub-rock mix that spins out of control, but never quite spills over the edge” (NPR, World Café). Sponsored in part by the IU African Studies Program. |
| back to top | |
 |
Until recently, Phyllis was living in Bloomington and working on a doctorate in the IU School of Music. Now a touring pianist, toy pianist, and multimedia artist, she returns for her Lotus debut, playing works for toy piano. Don’t expect plinkety-plink, however: Phyllis is internationally acclaimed for her performances of works by contemporary composers, as well as her original compositions (often including multimedia components) for the toy piano. The UnCaged Toy Piano Composition Competition, which she founded, attracts musicians from around the world. Sponsored by Women of Lotus |
| • Website | |
 |
Cara Dillon is recognized by critics and audiences worldwide as one of the finest singers on the current Irish traditional music scene. A native of county Derry in Northern Ireland, she won the All Ireland Singing Trophy at the tender age of 14. Since then, she’s been with an array of all-star Irish groups, including De Dannan and Oige. Her band includes her husband, Sam Lakeman, on piano and guitar. Sponsored by Women of Lotus, IU West European Studies, and Friends of Old-Time & Celtic Music |
| back to top | |
 |
The centuries-old arts of stilt-walking and puppetry come together in the magical experience of the Dragon Knights. On Saturday night, a Gryphon and Dragonfly will stalk Lotus Festival streets interacting with parade-goers. The artistry is spectacular—you’ll even forget that each elaborate stilt figure is animated by one skilled athlete/artist. |
 |
Gerard Edery & Maria Krupoves Edery and Krupoves weave folk songs, chants, and prayers from the Sephardic Jewish Diaspora and Eastern European Christian traditions into a performance they call “Two Faiths, One Voice.” This collaboration shows that music can be a unifying experience. Performince artist and folklorist Krupoves is an acclaimed interpreter of Central and Eastern European folksongs (she is also a visiting professor at IU). Edery is internationally recognized for his interpretations of Sephardic songs. Sponsored in part by IU Russian & East European Institute and by Women of Lotus |
|
• "Two Faiths, One Voice" program for 2009 Lotus World Music & Arts Festival [Word doc] |
|
| back to top |
 |
EE: Magic Circus Band From the Windy City comes another in-your-face, 21st-century marching band. “EE” stands for Environmental Encroachment, a Chicago-based marching band that uses acrobatics, a circus vibe, performance art, and great brassy live music to create a street party wherever they go. You’ll hear Latin grooves, some jazz and funk, African rhythms, and who knows what else (there may be some rabbit costumes involved). You’ll follow wherever EE leads you. Look for them on the street Saturday night for the Lotus Parade on Kirkwood and Fourth.
|
 |
The syncopated rhythm of northeastern Brazilian forró is the engine that drives NYC's Forró in the Dark. Their unique groove also taps into afro-beat, country soul, western swing, urban funk, and other sounds on New York's hip dance and global music scene. Upbeat tunes and wickedly fast tempos pay homage the forró genre's rich history, but note: abandoning the accordion, they've added pifano (a wooden flute) to twangy guitar, timbau, and Bahian drum. Sponsored in part by IU Latin American & Caribbean Studies |
 |
The young musicians of Hanggai may live in Beijing, but they are part of a Mongol folk revival that is both preserving and reinvigorating native music and songs of the Mongolian grasslands. Traditional instrumentation is front and center, especially the morin khuur (horse-hair fiddle) and the tobshuur (two-stringed lute); you'll also hear some khoomei-style singing (called “throat-singing” in the West)."They deliver a satisfying, rich sound and apunchy, often jubilant take on the tradition: Mongolian folk with a Beijing rock-style twist" (Songlines). Sponsored by the IU Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center. |
| back to top | |
 |
The Horseflies Old-time, with a twist. The Horse Flies have been purveying their unique brand of Americana music for about thirty years (in assorted guises), acquiring a devoted fan base along the way. The 2008 CD Until the Ocean was the band’s first studio release in eight years and has inspired rapturous praise. “The Horse Flies combine musical and lyrical quirkiness with beguiling wit and intelligence … a mélange of rock, folk, and minimalism … music that challenges the brain without sacrificing the groove” (Chicago Tribune). With Judy Hyman on fiddle, Jeff Claus on guitar and banjo uke, Richie Stearns on banjo, Taki Masuko on percussion, Jay Olsa on bass, and Rick Hansen on accordion, moog, and organ. Sponsored by Friends of Old-Time & Celtic Music and Women of Lotus |
 |
Huun Huur Tu & Carmen Rizzo Electronic music and throat-singing are made for each other. Who knew? Bonafide world music superstars Huun Huur-Tu have collaborated with Grammy-nominated producer and electronic music composer Carmen Rizzo to create a new take on the Tuvan music that brought them to international fame. With a lush electronic score backing their distinctive voices and traditional instrumentation, Huun Huur-Tu sounds more monumental and elemental than ever. Sponsored by the IU Inner Asian and Uralic Resource Center |
| back to top | |
 |
Jefferson Street Parade Band JSPB isn’t Sousa’s parade band. It was conceived of in the dead of winter 2008, when Bloomington drummer Benjamin Fowler thought, "What could be more fun than marching around the summer streets of Bloomington, playing music with my good friends?" He recruited Saxophone Alchemist Sophie Faught and a crew of exceptional drummers and horn players, and they began writing, playing, and marching as soon as the weather started to turn. The band plays originals as well as music from Cuba, Mexico, West Africa, and the US. |
 |
Bloomington audiences are familiar with the women of Kaia, who take a cappella music “from the raucous to the sublime.” Kaia means both from the earth (in Greek) and the sea (in Hawaiian), and the group’s repertoire is equally expansive and includes spirituals, jazz improv, folk songs, ballads, and other song forms from around the world. They also perform original compositions. This is the ensemble’s Lotus debut. Sponsored by Women of Lotus |
| • Website | |
| back to top | |
 |
Kinobe & Soul Beat Africa Kinobe (pronounced “chin-o-BEY”) has been playing music since he was five, living on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda. Before he was a teenager, he was performing on stages around the world. He is a multi-instrumentalist, a storyteller, a singer, and a songwriter, playing traditional Ugandan music along with his own work. Kinobe is also a teacher and an artisan: many of his band’s traditional instruments are his own creations. He performs at Lotus with his band Soul Beat Africa, and he will also lead a free workshop at Lotus in the Park. Sponsored in part by the IU African Studies Program and the Arts Midwest Performing Arts Fund |
 |
Srinivas Krishnan Basing his music in classical Indian traditions, Krishnan frequently borrows from other cultures to create exciting fusions that are truly “world music.” Srinivas Krishnan's Madras Experience celebrates South India's glorious classical music tradition, which is rich in rhythm, improvisation, melody, emotion, and devotion. This presentation features two saxophonists (Sidharth Nivas and Shyam Murali), Anjna Swaminathan on violin, Rajna Swaminathan on mridangam (a percussion instrument native to Southern India) and Srinivas Krishnan (cajon percussion, vocals). In addition, Harini Suresh (pictured at left) will perform Bharata Natyam, a tradition from Southern India. Sponsored by Women of Lotus |
| back to top | |
 |
The force of nature that is Little Cow swept into last year’s Lotus Festival. Dropping some ska, funk, rock, and pop into a Hungarian mix, Little Cow cranks the energy way up, with some hip melancholy thrown in. If you’re not inclined to dance (or leap, or bounce), stand back and enjoy this “frisky band from Budapest” (NY Times). They’ve also brought some friends: Gypsy band Parno Graszt (see bio below). On Lotus Thursday, the two groups will do a club show at the Bluebird: Hungarian Gypsy party time, in southern Indiana. Sponsored by IU Inner Asian & Uralic National Resource Center and IU Russian & East European Institute |
 |
Los de Abajo might be the only Lotus artist with a manifesto. More a collective than a traditional band, their watchwords are liberty, identity, and equality; their name (translated, Those from Below) comes from a novel about the Mexican Revolution. Drummer and founding member Yocupitzio Arrellano says, “The context in which we developed was this: injustice, neglect for the poor, and lack of avenues for free expression.” The music has the strength and heat of Afro-Latin rhythms along with plenty of rock, ska, punk, and other irresistible influences. It’s heartfelt, political music, with fire and soul. Sponsored by Women of Lotus and IU Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies |
|
>> Listen |
|
| back to top | |
 |
Lotus Dickey Song Workshop Bloomington traditional music masters Grey Larsen and Mark Feddersen teach attendees a few songs by the late, great Lotus Dickey (1911-1989). All are welcome to join this free workshop in honoring the 20th anniversary of Dickey’s passing, and to keep his legacy alive through the perpetuation of his songbook. Lotus Dickey had the gift of translating his own culture into music that still speaks to people of all ages and walks of life. He was an inspiration for the "Lotus" in Lotus World Music & Arts Festival. Sponsored by Friends of Old-Time & Celtic Music |
| • More about Lotus Dickey | |
 |
Megitza Quartet — * NEW * One of two Chicago imports at this year’s Lotus, the Megitza Quartet was formed by Polish vocalist and bassist Malgorzata Babiarz. Andreas Kapsalis adds elements of flamenco on acoustic guitar, while accordionist Marek Lichota evokes the pathos of klezmer with fluidly melodic runs—all backed by innovative percussionist Jamie Gallagher. An elegant, subtle, soulful world music fusion. Sponsored by IU Russian & East European Institute |
| back to top | |
 |
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International — * NEW * This year’s other Chicago import plays central and West African dance music—including soukous, Highlife, Rumba, Dry Guitar, and other tasty styles. Band members bring an impressive array of chops to the table, with backgrounds in African traditional music, jazz, and indie rock. Led by guitarist Nathaniel Braddock, OBDBI features Greg Ward on alto sax, Kofi Cromwell on trumpet and vocals, Daniel “Rambo” Asamoah on traps and hand drums, Josh Ramos on upright bass, and Jean LeRoy on congos. Sweet, hot, smokin’. Sponsored by IU African Studies Program |
 |
Orchestra of Tetouan The members of the Orchestra of Tetouan play Andalusian music that has ancient origins in the Muslim and Jewish cultures of North Africa and southern Spain. This is both an orchestral and a poetic tradition; songs are accompanied by instrumentation that includes lute, viola, rebab, violin, zither, tambourine, and goblet drum. The first Orchestra of Tetouan was formed in Morocco in 1944; since then, several generations of conservatory-trained musicians have carried on the tradition. Sponsored by IU African Studies Program
|
| • Website | |
| back to top | |
 |
Parno Graszt You want Gypsy music? Parno Graszt (white horse in Romani) is the real thing. The band plays traditional Roma folk songs of northeast Hungary and Romania, as well as their own compositions. This a music of community, of social gatherings. At a Parno Graszt gig, distinctions between audience and performer get blurry, but a few things we know for sure: there’s a lot of singing, dancing, and super-fast Gypsy music. “They do not use sources of Gypsy music, they are the source itself” (Songlines). Sponsored by Women of Lotus, the IU Inner Asian & Uralic National Resource Center, and IU Russian & East European Institute
|
 |
Rupa and the April Fishes “We must shed a bright light in the dark places so that things can get better,” says Rupa Marya. The child of Indian parents, she grew up in the U.S., India, and southern France, and attended medical school in San Francisco. (She's a practicing physician when she’s not touring.) Her experiences as an outsider in various cultures have strongly shaped her music. Playing what she describes as “boundary-smashing global agit pop,” Rupa challenges ideas of borders and the arbitrary divisions that can keep us from recognizing our common humanity. They borrow from French chanson, tango, swing, Indian music, and even American folk. It’s hard to pin down, but who cares? Rupa’s music is luscious, cosmopolitan, and it swings, baby. Sponsored by Women of Lotus and IU West European Studies |
| back to top | |
 |
Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women Saffire—Gaye Adegbalola, Ann Rabson, and Andra Faye—are on a farewell tour after 25 years of playing acoustic blues around the world. The trio is known for fine musicianship and baudy, sometimes political, always heartfelt songwriting. Adegbalola plays guitar and harmonica, Rabson plays piano and guitar, and Faye (an Indianapolis native) plays a raft of instruments, including bass, fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. When they raise their voices, they raise the roof. Sponsored by Women of Lotus |
| • Website | |
 |
Salaam "Salaam" is the Arabic word for "peace" – it is also the name of one of Bloomington's best-loved music ensembles. Led by violinist and spike fiddle player Dena El Saffar, Salaam explores music of the Middle East and Northern Africa. Their innovative arrangements, playful improvisations, and compositions reflect the traditional styles of these countries as well as the band's fresh interpretations, and influences of Western classical music, jazz, and even blues. The ensemble includes El Saffar and her husband, Tim Moore, on percussion, as well as special guests. Sponsored by Women of Lotus |
 |
Stairwell Sisters - Official 2009 Lotus Dickey Artist The Stairwell Sisters are part of an international string-band renaissance that is re-establishing old-time American music as a living force in world music. One Sister, Evie Ladin, has local ties: before she headed to the West Coast, she was part of Bloomington’s own world-class old-time music confederation. Evie clogs and plays banjo; Sue Sandlin plays guitar and harmonica; Stephanie Prausnitz plays fiddle and cello; Lisa Berman plays dobro, banjo, guitar, and slide; and Martha Hawthorne plays guitar and bass. The Stairwell Sisters are the 2009 Lotus Dickey Artist, helping us honor the spirit of Indiana folk treasure Lotus Dickey (1911-1989). They'll also perform a Lotus Dickey song or two. Sponsored by Women of Lotus and Friends of Old-Time & Celtic Music |
| back to top | |
 |
Mike Silverman (a.k.a. That 1 Guy) could be the love child of Frank Zappa and Rube Goldberg.Classically trained on the upright bass, he made a name for himself in progressive jazz. He designed his unique Magic Pipe so that he could create a bigger (let’s say astonishing) array of sounds and his own kind of music. There’s “a tribal feel to it, based on rhythms from around the world,” he says. The instrument includes steel pipe, electronic wiring, and a thick bass string, with occasional add-ons: a snare, an electric musical handsaw, and an electric cowboy boot. "Slamming, futuristic funk" (Billboard) ... "Home Depot meets Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (The Spokesman). |
| back to top |
 |
Three of Bloomington’s favorite Swedes return to kick off the 2009 Lotus Festival and celebrate their newest CD, Väsen Street. (The title track is an homage to an exuberant fan’s suggestion that Bloomington name a street after them.) Olov Johansson on nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle), Mikael Marin on viola, and Roger Tallroth on 12-string guitar and bouzouki play modern string music rooted in Swedish folk music but showing flashes of jazz and classical music. “Väsen treads an enchanted territory between classical, folk, and pop” (Utne Reader). Sponsored by Team Väsen, IU West European Studies, and IU Germanic Studies |
 |
Vishtèn’s music is a party mix of French, Irish, and Scottish styles of Eastern Canada, with breakneck fiddling and powerful step dancing front and center. (Acadian is cousin to Cajun culture, which you'll notice right off.) Founded by twin sisters Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc, Vishtèn captures the joie de vivre of Acadian culture. Two other formidable players fill out the quartet: Pascal Miousse on guitar, and Elmer Deagle on fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo. Sponsored by Women of Lotus and Friends of Old-Time & Celtic Music |
| back to top |
 |
From the Mediterranean melting pot of Marseilles comes Watcha Clan. Heavy drum and bass beats, a merciless electro party groove, and socially resonant songs from charismatic vocalist Sista K are just part of the Clan’s appeal. From dub and reggae to the Balkans, and reaching out to the many countries and cultures that fringe the Mediterranean: every rhythm, sound, and language is fair game. “Watcha Clan is one of the most exciting bands I've seen on the world music circuit. . . . controlled chaos in action, at times sounding Balkan, others Brooklyn and then Egyptian” (Bob Boilen, NPR). Sponsored by IU West European Studies and Women of Lotus |
 |
The Zolfonoon Ensemble of Iran The Persian classical musician Jalal Zolfonoon is a master of the four-stringed setar (not to be confused with the Indian sitar). As a touring musician, recording artist, and teacher, he has been a leading figure in the revival of this traditional Iranian instrument. Classically trained in Tehran and a lifetime resident of Iran, he tours the world performing Iranian classical and folk music. His ensemble for the 2009 Lotus World Music & Arts Festival includes Soheil Zolfonoon on tar (a double-bowled stringed instrument), daff (frame drum), and voice, and Shahyar Daneshgar on daff and voice. |
| • Silk Road Ensemble Website |
