MP3 Live - WORLD: Middle East Contemporary

Contemporary tribal belly dance with gypsy and arabic roots -old world instruments in new world hands

9 MP3 Songs
WORLD: Middle East Contemporary, WORLD: Belly Dancing



Details:
Gaiananda comes from two words; 'Gaia' refers to the Earth, descending from Greek goddess Gaia, and 'Ananda' means 'bliss' in Sanskrit, translating to Earth's Bliss.

Gaiananda was formed in August of 2001. The idea to form an ethnic drum and dance ensemble was the vision of Jessica Kinzbach and Suzanne Gerard. Both felt a deep desire to bring together drumming and dancing styles of many cultures to share the richness of ethnic diversity with Gaiananda's performers and audience alike. Over time, the troupe expanded to incorporate melodic instruments into the mix.

As a way to further cultivate and define their musical style the band began playing out without its dancers as "The Gaiananda Band." Reaching a wider array of venues, their music draws tribal belly dancers from the whole community to dance to their Middle Eastern style of fusion. While much of their music is a fusion of traditional Middle Eastern influences more of it is original composition with a gypsy, eastern European flair.

"Gaiananda Live" was recorded on Thanksgiving weekend to a jam-packed house on a double billed event with Raquy and the Cavemen. It was one of those special nights when the musicians, the dancers, the crowd were all primed. Ranging from trance-like to energetic frenzy it is perfect music for belly dance. We hope you will enjoy the infectious enthusiasm and hipshimmying moment in time captured in Middle Eastern belly dance fusion.



Band Bios

Dan Baechle has been a percussionist since the age of 12. He is a man of many styles and has played in many genres including Blues, Jazz, Rock, Folk, Country, Orchestral, Latin, Caribbean, Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern and West African. Dan has performed with many groups including Wo-Yingi, Foxy McCoy and Lenâs Lounge. He is the lead drummer and accountant for Gaiananda.

David Johnson has collected many different types of music since his youth. His love of music led him to work as a roadie for two bands in the late 70s and early 80s. In the last ten years he has been a member of the New Thought Unity Choir, a DJ for private parties and had a radio show on WAIF (Child In Time). He is the Business Manager and Booking Agent for Gaiananda Cultural Music & Dance Ensemble and has played drums for them since their inception in 2001. David is also the Technical Manager for the Center for World Rhythms and Movement. David is a professional licensed massage therapist.

Gregory Morris has toured extensively across the U.S. with projects ranging from folk to rock. He has been involved in the release of numerous recordings, garnering airplay nationwide. Gregory plays violin, mandolin and sitar for Gaiananda Cultural Music & Dance Ensemble. Gaiananda provides him with opportunities to revel in the many moods of Middle Eastern and Tribal music as well as to focus on the acute relationship between rhythm, melody, and dance. Gregory writes many of the original compositions as well as running sound for many live performances.

Will Menton joined Gaiananda in early 2004. Performing on saz, bazouki, guitar, and oud, he contributes original compositions to the groups repertoire. Will is the webmaster for Gaiananda.net.

Mark Stucker holds down the woodwind section of Gaiananda Cultural Music & Dance Ensemble. He began clarinet at age nine, which sparked a passion for creating music with many instruments including flute, sax, guitar, keyboards, hand drums, Deger pipes, and most recently the mizmar. Mark formerly worked with the art performance troupe Mameda and the Irish fusion band Anam Cara. What he truly loves about Gaiananda is the intensity of the moment created when improvising solos to drive and flow with the dancers. Mark is a professional cinematographer & lighting director in video and film. He lends those talents to Gaiananda as well, having produced the music video DVD production "Rompi, Rompi".

Special guest Kevin "Nevik" Hartnell of "The Black Drum" performs on this live recording. Visit http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/blackdrum for more information on him.


The Center for World Rhythms and Movement
4719 Vine Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45217
(513) 312-9628
www.gaiananda.net