Bio: Salaam Suite is a collaboration of diverse world music utilizing popular American styles with Arabic and Middle Eastern influences. The eclectic and uplifting music is dedicated to global human rights and dignity for all people. Themes and improvisations flow in and out of the performance incorporating a myriad of styles including Latin, reggae, country, Indian, funk and rock 'n' roll sounds in a collection of upbeat and danceable grooves.
Instrumentation: "Fretless requinto, guitar, bass, oud (Arabic lute), darbekki (Arabic percussion), cajon and vocals. The large ensemble features additional congas, trumpet, saxophone, keyboards, beatbox and drums."
Bio: Meet L.A.'s most hyper-eclectic ensemble: 25 daring studio musicians, whose mission is to boldly go where no orchestra has gone before. These musical argonauts blend classical music, rock, jazz, hip-hop, and just about every other musical style, often enhancing their performance with an assortment of dancers, acrobats, pulp novel narrations, surprise guests and more. "The arrangements are nothing short of amazing." (Air Music); "a real hoot" (L.A. Times); "one of LA's top unsigned acts"(Music Connection Magazine); Winner! "Best Rock Opera of the Year" (L.A. Music Awards).
Instrumentation: 3 Vocals, 3 woodwinds all doublers (piccolo; flute; clarinet; bass clarinet; alto, tenor, & baritone sax), 2 French horns, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, 1 tuba, 1 guitar electric & acoustic (doubles, mandolin, sitar, pipa, banjo), 1 keyboards, 1 electric bass, 2 percussionist, (vibraphone, Marimba, xylophone, Timpani, wide array of ethnic and hand percussion), 1 drum set, 2-8 violins, 1-4 violas, 1-3 celli, and 1 upright bass.
Number of musicians: 10-35 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles
Contact: Danae McElroy E-mail: danae@fastmail.fm Web site: http://www.scottishfiddlers.org
Bio: For 30 years, the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles have performed the lively, energetic and uplifting music of Scotland, the Shetland Islands, Cape Breton Island and Ireland. Their playing is characterized by hard-driving reels and strathspeys, marches and jigs, airs and waltzes. The Scottish Fiddlers perform traditional tunes as well as compositions by up and coming Celtic artists.
Bio: Educated in composition, orchestration and conducting, Misha Segal is a veteran of the film and music industries with firm roots in classical and jazz music. Helping his mother fight lung cancer inspired a series of piano improvisations called Female, which he's performed for cancer-fighting organizations across the country.
Instrumentation: Piano (must be acoustic grand) with or without string accompaniment.
Bio: Sgt. Pepper performs a tribute to the Beatles and other British Invasion artists, including the Yardbirds, the Hollies, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, Gerry & the Pacemakers and Rod Stewart. No gimmicks or costumes, just the music.
Instrumentation: Electric Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals
Number of Musicians: 4 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: Declared "a giant of the not-too-distant future" by the Los Angeles Times, composer/bassist/producer Larry Steen leads his world jazz ensemble in an explosive program that fuses authentic Near Eastern, Balkan, West African, Celtic, Caribbean and South American influences with jazz, classical and funk-R&B. With a deep respect for world cultures, the group carefully emulates rhythms and textures as accurately as possible while injecting a harmonic complexity not usually associated with music from these regions.
Instrumentation: Flute/sax/rap, keyboards, guitar/bouzouki/oud, bass, drums/percussion, and percussion.
Bio: An engaging and catchy blend of folk, roots, and bluegrass with some undertones of jazz ala Django Rheinhart. Stephanie Bettman is an award winning singer/songwriter/fiddler, and is joined by multi-talented multi-instrumentalist and musical "phenom" Luke Halpin on mandolin, guitar, and vocals.
Bio: Brandon Salaam Bailey leads the group STIX, a high energy hip hop band based in Watts. Influenced by the rhythm and stylings of popular rap artists Kanye West, B.O.B., and Will Smith, STIX performs upbeat and positive hip hop music appropriate for all audiences.
Instrumentation: Vocals, Drums, Bass guitar, Lead Guitar, Keyboard, DJ
Number of Musicians: 3-6 Additional Equipment Available: P.A. system
Bio: String Theory Productions is a collaborative performance ensemble dedicated to creating multi-media innovative work. By combining music, movement, and sculptural long-string installations, each performance becomes a site specific visual soundtrack.
Instrumentation: Long-string sculptural installations, cello, guitar, electric bass, French horn, trumpet, percussion and vocals.
