R. Carlos Nakai
R. Carlos Nakai
Shinetsog Dorjnyam
Munkh-Erdene Chuluunbat
Stephen Kent
Earth Sounds Ensemble
R. Carlos Nakai
Shinetsog Dorjnyam
Munkh-Erdene Chuluunbat
Stephen Kent
Wednesday, September 26, 7:00 pm
$18 adv, $20 door, $25 priority
Nakai and Earth Sounds Ensemble Open New Season at OTCA
The Earth Sounds Ensemble, led by world-renowned Native American flutist, R. Carlos Nakai, is a world music powerhouse. Combining Native American flute with Mongolian khoomei throat-singing, Mongolian yatag and indigenous-Australian didgeridoo, the musicians have created a deeply evocative musical fusion that brings forth the meditative, healing, and transcendent qualities of three ancient cultures. The Earth Sounds Ensemble, through their respective musical traditions, speak a common language rooted in nomadic life, seasonal migrations, and the sounds of nature.
Joining Nakai for this special event are Munkh Chuluunbat, zither and vocals, Shine Dorjnyam, horsehead fiddle and vocals, and Stephen Kent, didgeridoo and percussion.
Musically harmonizing with the sounds of nature crystallizes a kinetic connection with the earth and is the root-inspiration for the music of all four musicians.
Here is a brief description of each ensemble member. R. Carlos Nakai is the world’s premier performer of the Native American flute. Of Navajo-Ute heritage; Nakai is also an iconoclastic traditionalist who views his cultural heritage not only as a source and inspiration, but also a dynamic continuum of natural change, growth, and adaptation subject to the artist’s expressive needs. As a recording artist for Canyon Records Nakai has produced 35 albums, including two gold albums and 9 Grammy nominations.
Munkh-Erdene Chuluunbat (Mogi) is considered the foremost exponent of the Mongolian yatag zither. Her extraordinary ability to draw out melodic harmonies and percussive beats from the yatag, has given Mogi an eclectic musical spectrum in which to make her instrument sing and soar. Through extensive touring she has performed with innovative ensembles, and introduced the yatag to audiences throughout Europe, Asia and the United States.
Shinetsog Dorjnyam (Shinee) is a highly esteemed khoomei throat-singer with training in classical western music and Mongolian traditional repertoires. His ability to adapt to varied styles of music and create innovative compositions makes him one the exemplary musicians of his generation. For the past five years, Shinetsog Dorjnyam has been a member of the Mongolian Morin Khuur Ensemble. An acclaimed young master of both the morin khuur and khoomei, Shinetsog's music expresses the dynamism of the Mongolian character and the natural joy and beauty of nomadic life.
Stephen Kent is arguably the most innovative contemporary artist to have brought the Didjeridu to the attention of the wider world, outside its traditional role in Australian Aboriginal culture. In his study of the instrument he learned circular breathing and wrote music for brass instruments, sounding unmistakably like the Didjeridu. While he has always had great respect for Aboriginal people and their culture Stephen has never tried to imitate traditional styles on the Didjeridu. Instead he has pioneered his own unique style, with the ‘Didj’ at the center of many of his compositions in contemporary music.
Please join us for this gathering of world musicians and the opening of the season at Old Town Center for the Arts.
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