Rani Arbo
Fiddle, vocals
raniarbo.com
A few years ago, the Boston Globe pinned Rani Arbo (then the lead singer for Salamander Crossing) as "a force to be reckoned with." This month, after hearing Arbo's debut CD, the Globe reiterated its prediction: "This hot band from Western Massachusetts may be the Next Big Thing in New England folk music... Arbo's voice is smart and sultry, with winking nuances.... Her fiddle is...elegant and sinewy, shimmering with sly wit and mystery. She is, in all the important ways, already a star of the first order."
On stage, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem is marvelously eclectic, a four-person acoustic string band with wicked percussion, great harmonies, sublime lead singing, original tunes, and a repertoire that dips into a range of American musical idioms. The Boston Globe describes it as "neo old-timey with cosmopolitan splashes of contemporary pop and jazz." Or, as a fan humbly quipped, "It's no wonder that no one can put you into a musical category. I know I can't."
The band's debut album, Cocktail Swing, by contrast, is easier to put into words. It's a singly swing-minded affair, lighthearted and breezy, featuring a crackerjack band and the bewitching lead vocals of Arbo and her ten-year singing partner, Andrew Kinsey. A word on its beginnings: in 1999 (the last year of Salamander Crossing's tenure), Kinsey brought a cassette tape called "Promising Ukulele Tunes" on tour. It was full of melodious classics like Fats Waller's "Pretend There's a Moon," Anne Murray's "Snowbird," and many more — the kinds of tunes that lodge in your head and refuse to leave. Between the tunes, Kinsey's ukulele and crooner talents, and Arbo's love of good melodies and swing fiddle, Cocktail Swing was born. "It was just the right transition project for me," says Arbo, who co-produced the CD with the band. "We had a crop of tunes that made us smile, a vision for how to record them, and an excuse to get together with some old musician friends. What more do you need?"
Arbo wanted a live, energetic, devil-may-care recording, which required a no-holds-barred approach from everyone involved. So, she called four players she'd always dreamed of putting under one roof: Dave Dick (guitar, mandolin, and tenor banjo), David Hamburger (guitar, dobro, and tenor banjo), Matt Weiner (ex-bassist for the Hot Club of Cowtown), and Scott Kessel (drums and percussion). Of these, it's Kessel who kicks the CD into truly unusual territory: he plays the Drumship Enterprise, a recycled drum kit featuring a cardboard box, cat food tins, cookie tins, and a vinyl suitcase. Between Kessel's funky beats, Weiner's muscular playing, Hamburger's freewheeling dobro, and Dick's superlative picking, the chemistry is electric.
Putnam Murdoch
Vocals, guitar, song-writer
Putnam Murdoch has just been nominated for a Grammy in several categories for his new CD, "FICTION." After a stint in Brooklyn where Murdock performed and co-produced the debut records for Kenny Cambre "THE GUY YOU CHEER FOR," and Kara Suzanne and The Gojo Hearts "AUMSVILLE," he now resides in Northern California. He got his start as a professional musician touring with the successful rock and roll band Chief Broom. With Murdock as front man, the group achieved a slot on the 1997 H.O.R.D.E. tour, appeared in festivals at Red Rocks Amphitheater, and sold out venues throughout the western U.S. Upon completion of the school of life in 1999, Murdock attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he graduated with a songwriting degree in 2002.
Since then, Murdock has been performing across the country with artists such as Reed Foehl (of Acoustic Junction), Ben Taylor, Martin Sexton, The Samples, William Topley, and Kaki King. In addition to his live performances, he has also established his songwriting career by co-writing songs that have been featured in Joan of Arcadia, Dawsons Creek and the MTV show Made. Recently, the song When it Comes Around appeared in the movie Just Friends and is also included on the soundtrack.
Sam Bardfeld
Violin
Sam Bardfeld has worked with Bruce Springsteen, The String Trio of New York,
Johnny Pacheco, John Zorn, John Cale, Johnny Almendra y Los Jovenes del
Barrio, Roy Nathanson, The Soldier String Quartet and numerous others. He has
released a CD with his own quartet entitled Taxidermy (CIMP195). Downbeat
Magazine said "Bardfeld has a loose bow and a mercurial mind...lots of light
and air in this wonderful band ****(Four Stars)." He is author of Latin Violin: How to Play Salsa, Charanga, and Latin Jazz Violin [Gerard & Sarzin Publishing Co., 2001]
Vanessa Carlton
Vocals, piano,
www.vanessacarlton.com
Born in a tiny town in Pennsylvania, Vanessa was accepted into the School of American Ballet in New York, at age 14. In February 2002, her debut single A Thousand Miles, hit the charts and its video was played on MTV. She has performed on Rosie O'Donnell, MTV's TRL, and has been mentioned in Rolling Stone as one of ten artists to watch in 2002. In April 2002, she released her debut album, Be Not Nobody. "Harmonium" (2005) was Vanessa Carlton's follow up to her multi-platinum debut Be Not Nobody, which had the number one single "A Thousand Miles" and top ten single "Ordinary Day".
Lisa Liu
Violin
http://lisaliumusic.com/
An accomplished arranger and composer as well as musician, Lisa’s first opportunity to “test her musical mettle” came while she was still in school when she worked on an album project for The Pope that featured Britney Spears, Aerosmith, Ice-T, R. Kelly and Justin Timberlake, among other A-list entertainers. Since then she has performed from coast to coast to audiences of up to 75,000+ (with the Gorillaz at the Coachella music festival) and lent her talents to movies, television, albums and concerts with celebrity artists from every genre.
Leanne Darling
Viola
leannedarling.com
Leanne Darling creates a powerful new voice for the viola. She draws from her classical technique, her Arabic and jazz skills, and her passion for improvisation to break the boundaries of this profoundly lyrical instrument. Leanne Darling uses the entire scope of her versatile instrument, mixing more traditional sounds with electric sounding effects, to create her own compositions. Using a sampling/looping device, Darling generates layers of sound — from lyrical melodies to driving rhythms and textures — simulating a whole room full of musicians. The layers are improvised as well as planned, making each performance unique. Her musical style ranges from minimalist to free jazz, blues, Arabic, and ambient music. With the aid of the loops she demonstrates the full potential of this beautiful yet little heard instrument.
Tia Imani Hanna
Violin, vocals, composer
www.tiaimanihanna.com
Tia Imani Hanna, originally from Detroit, Michigan, is currently living and working in Brooklyn, New York. She has
co-created, with choreographer Andrea E. Woods, an off Broadway show entitled "Inside." She has been honoured by the films' recent acquisition by the Lincoln
Center for the performing arts permanent collection, in the Gerome Robbins
dance division. She premiered her original work "Brazil the first time" at
the American Jazz String Summit in New York City. She is currently in
rehearsal for a new show with Andrea E. Woods entitled "Love Letters."
Heather Hardy
Violin, vocals
www.heatherhardy.com
Heather Hardy is a gifted violinist, songwriter and singer whose talent has grown along with her spirit, which is reflected in her lyrics and music at live performances and on her CD "Violins" (Troupe Records) which is a beautiful work displaying her amazing talent on the violin, technically and artistically, strong vocals and her gift for writing music and lyrics, which ranks her among the top composers in blues music. Heather's music however, is not limited to the "blues"; her work also reflects an influence of jazz, R&B and Rock.
Mindy Jostyn
Vocals, multi-instrumentalist
www.mindyjostyn.com
Over the last eight years, singer-songwriter Mindy Jostyn has toured throughout the eastern United States wowing audiences with her soulful voice, distinctive melodies, witty and insightful lyrics, and her command of a host of different instruments including guitar, violin, harmonica, accordion, piano. She has headlined at legendary folk clubs such as Club Passim in Cambridge, MA, The Ironhorse in North Hampton, MA, and The Towne Crier in Pawling, NY, and she has played at the Falcon Ridge, Winnipeg, and Long Island folk festivals.
During that time, Mindy has released four solo CD's including her latest effort "Blue Stories", a collection of bittersweet songs about people and their plights. Her first CD, "Five Miles from Hope", is a rootsy, country blues album recorded witha live band and musical guests Donald Fagen, Carly Simon, and Garth Hudson. Her second CD, "Cedar Lane", is a pop-folk paean to the suburbs of her youth featuring emotive ballads and satiric takes on modern love.
Prior to launching her solo career, Mindy was an established "sideman" who toured with some of the biggest names in popular music including Billy Joel, John Mellencamp, Donald Fagen, Joe Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and Carly Simon. She's also appearedand/or recorded with John Bon Jovi, Shania Twain, Andreas Vollenweider, Pat Benetar, and Laura Nyro. Sadly, Mindy pased away in 2005.
Asha Mevlana
Violin, viola
www.ashamevlana.com
On the acoustic side, Asha filled the viola chair in Invert , the avant-garde string quartet, performing original music by its members throughout clubs in New York, including the Knitting Factory, Irving Plaza, and Joe's Pub, where they have opened for groups such as Ethel, Rasputina, The Rachels and Mission of Burma. Invert has prominently been featured in Vanity Fair, Gear Magazine, Time Out New York and Billboard Magazine, and was featured on the latest Guided By Voices album, Universal Truths and Cycles.Her passion for electric music landed her a spot in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's touring company as well as several rock bands.
As an electric musician she has performed at New York City clubs including Bitter End, Arlene Grocery and Mercury Lounge.In January 2004, Asha moved to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time music career on her electric 7-string Viper violin designed by Mark Wood. Most recently, she was chosen to play at NAMM with Mark Wood and in October 2004, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister selected her to play on tour with his new rock opera, Van Helsing's Curse. She has also appeared on stage with Poet Name Life, a member of the Black Eyed Peas, and Joel Virgel, who was recently featured in Vanity Fair's 2004 Music Issue. As a recording musician, she has worked with Tricky and with Ronn Moss (also known as Ridge from the Bold and The Beautiful.)
Meg Okura
Violin
www.megokura.com
British paper the Guardian called jazz violinist Meg Okura "thrilling improvisational virtuosity." Since her debut at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in 1991, Meg has been heard throughout Europe, Asia, and the U.S. at some of the most prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Barbican Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl.
After receiving a Master's degree from The Juilliard School as a classical violinist in 1999, Meg has quickly risen to be one of the most sought after violinists, performing and recording with David Bowie, Michael Brecker, Philip Glass, Gil Goldstein, Jesse Harris, Lee Konitz, Elliot Sharp, Steve Swallow, Diane Reeves and Tony Visconti among others.
Lorenza Ponce
Violin
www.lorenzaponce.com
Lorenza Ponce is most noted as the dynamic violinist who performed onstage
with Japanese superstar Kitaro during his 1994–1995 tour.
Ponce began her musical journey studying classical violin. By high school,
she was a soloist in the Maryland Youth Symphony and spent two years
attending prep school at Baltimore's prestigious Peabody Conservatory. She
received numerous scholarships and fellowships and furthered her classical
studies at the Manhattan School of Music and Syracuse University.
Upon graduation, Ponce purchased an electric violin and decided to pursue a
career as a pop artist rather than a classical performer. A chance meeting
with Yes vocalist Jon Anderson in 1993 led to her signing a contact with
Angel Records, with whom she released her first solo album (with vocals),
Imago, in 1997.
Besides touring with Kitaro, Ponce has performed and recorded with Deborah Harry, Jewel, Jon Anderson, and Silverchair.
Michael Snow
Violin
http://www.metropolitanhotclub.com/
Michael has an extremely varied musical background. His first instrument was the piano, and he went on to the banjo, the mandolin, the guitar, and finally the violin, which soon became his main instrument. His passion for expanding his musical boundaries led him from studying with third-stream artist Ran Blake at New England Conservatory of Music, to Yale University as a music major, to jazz violinists Julie Lyonn Lieberman in New York City and John Blake in Philadelphia, to the Bhatkhande School of Music in Lucknow, India (where he studied North Indian classical music on the sarangi, a violin-like bowed instrument). At City College in San Francisco, he studied composition and jazz arranging.
Michael has played in just about every kind of group you can imagine—jazz, swing, country, bluegrass, classical, contradance, rock, fusion, free improv, blues, avant garde, tango, and more. He has been a regular member of over 30 ensembles; has recorded for records, CDs, demos, film, and TV; has performed for modern dance classes; and is an active teacher and composer. He is also the co-creator and webmaster of StringsCentral.com. Michael lives in High Falls, NY, and currently plays with Joe Giardullo's "G2—Music for Creative Chamber Group" (avant garde), the Bernstein Bard trio (eclectic mix), the Metropolitan Hot Club (swing), and various other jazz and bluegrass groups.
Valerie Vigoda
Violin, vocals
www.groovelily.com
Valerie Vigoda, electric violinist and singer, is the founding member of GrooveLily.
Originally from McLean, VA, she has toured the world with Cyndi Lauper, Cher, Tina Turner and Joe Jackson, and is thrilled to be back with GrooveLily as they take the country by storm. Valerie is a classically-trained musician, former army lieutenant, and an honors graduate of Princeton University. She founded GrooveLily (originally "The Valerie Vigoda Band") in 1994, with a critically acclaimed CD called "Inhabit My Heart." Dirty Linen Magazine wrote: "to call Valerie Vigoda talented barely seems to do her justice. She has a great voice, is an intelligent lyricist...and an ace violinist. Methinks we'll hear more of her."
Helen Yee
Violin, yangqin, percussion
www.invertmusic.com/helen.htm
Helen is a member of Invert, and has performed and recorded with various bands including Petro, Turn, Too Cynical To Cry, and Twenty % Tippers. She has been a member for over ten years with Music From China, an ensemble that performs traditional and new music on traditional Chinese instruments, for which she performs on yangqin and percussion. With these groups she has performed extensively in the New York area in venues as diverse as CBGB's and Lincoln Center. Most recently she appeared on the stage with Yo-Yo Ma and Music From China in a concert of a new work by Zhou Long at Washington D.C.'s Freer Gallery.
Helen has also performed in Off Broadway productions of experimental theatre, including work with Mabou Mines. As a session musician she has contributed to a number of major movie soundtracks, including scores for Cost of Living, Number One, Tug of War, and Martin Scorsese's Kundun.
Joanna Dalin
Violin, vocals
www.mirrorreveals.com
A classically trained, dark-music aficionado, Joanna began her professional career in 1994 with Backworld (World Serpent), a lushly dark, folk-goth band. She recorded two CDs with Backworld: Holy Fire (1996) and Isles of the Blest (1998). Since 2000, she has worked with the ethereal trio The Mirror Reveals (Middle Pillar Presents). She appears on the band’s CD-EP Divinity (2000) as well as their most recent full-length release, This Infinite Eye (2004), which is currently receiving considerable attention from the dark-music press.
In 2001, The Mirror Reveals was honored to perform at Convergence 7, the annual net-goth festival, at NYC’s Irving Plaza. Joanna has also performed with bands at downtown Manhattan venues from CBGB’s to The Knitting Factory. In addition, she has performed and/or recorded with NYC artists including Baby Steps (headed by ex-Psychedelic Furs keyboardist Joe McGinty) and Lydia Lunch. Joanna currently lives in Western Massachusetts.