The transcontinental sound of this acoustic violin-guitar duo will transport you from a tranquil, meditative walk along exotic shores to sophisticated European cafés in this dual album of cross-genre instrumental compositions by Chi Saito of The Panache O

10 MP3 Songs in this album (39:34) !
Related styles: JAZZ: Jazz Fusion, WORLD: World Fusion



Details:
The Panache Orchestra is an international touring acoustic violin/guitar duo that got started in Tokyo, Japan in mid 1998 not long after Brenda K (classically trained violinist) decided to go into voluntary exile there for a year or so with the intention of getting out of music. She and Chi "Mr. Groove" Saito, another career musician who had also just quit playing professionally (purebred rock player with extensive study of the great music of the world) met by a freak accident in a landmark sushi bar in the Azabu district (Tokyo) owned by a close friend of his. It was love at first sight, so they promptly began working together, cut an EP and debuted at Club Cay, a major Tokyo venue in the Aoyama district under the title "Brenda and Me" in 1998.

In late 2000 Chi, assisted by Brenda, opened a nightclub called "Asagaya Drum" that featured high quality live music and various multimedia events. During this time "Brenda&Me" expanded into a complete band format under the name "Strange Dream", appearing in prominent festivals and venues. However, before they were able to record a full-length album with the new line-up, Chi and Brenda K relocated to Brenda's hometown of San Diego, California in late 2004 and subsequently up to Los Angeles, leaving the other members behind in Tokyo. Since Chi was now an exile also, the band rebranded itself as "theXiles" and their saga continues in L.A. They recently decided to change their name to "The Panache Orchestra", believing that name better accommodates the full range of their music and who they are as individual players.

They currently perform principally as an acoustic violin/guitar duo featuring accomplished professional multi-instrumentalists Chi Saito of Tokyo, Japan (guitar) and Brenda K of San Diego, CA (violin), but can alternately perform as a full band/orchestra, expanding their line-up with first rate players from amongst the musicians they have had the privilege of working with since their stateside debut.

The Panache Orchestra also just recorded and released a double album titled "10 Strings" featuring their all-original acoustic instrumental repertoire. This two-disc set is their first commercial release since the project was mothballed for nearly 10 years, and constitutes a quick pen-and-ink sketch of their extensive and diverse repertoire, hinting at things to come. The title â10 Stringsâ refers to the album having been recorded in âliveâ format using only the acoustic guitar (six strings) and violin (four strings) with no overdubs.

Nobody has yet been able to neatly pigeon-hole The Panache Orchestra's sound into a market-friendly genre niche or come up with any âsound-alikesâ, but the consensus is that they have a truly unique, original sound with universal appeal, and are always a huge hit at any gathering of people who enjoy high quality, energizing, well-crafted music, from the most intimate marriage proposals to large celebrations and concerts. It has often been suggested that their music is especially well-suited to healing/holistic health and wellness applications and film soundtracks.

One possible answer to the question, "what does The Panache Orchestra sound like?" could be, "An eclectic blend of influences greater than the sum of its parts, combining a wide array of musical styles and a vast amount of life experience stretching around the globe (and some would argue beyond it)". Their highly crafted instrumental repertoire spans diverse musical genres reflecting Brenda K's Euro-American classical foundation and Chi's highly enriched rock 'n roll roots, meshing together in an eclectic blend of crossover jazz/classical sensibilities infused with pop/rock/blues vernacular, with a number of pieces drawing their inspiration from Chi's traditional Japanese heritage.