Kaoru Watanabe: Fue and Taiko | Megan Gould: Violin | Brad Shepik: Guitar | Edward Perez: Bass
Produced by Shane Shanahan, Engineered by Gabe Herman, Mastered by Andrew Bove
A U D A C I T Y
Audacity is a journey into realms of audacious hope and unexplored possibilities. As a tribute to Barack Obama’s diverse cultural background, this piece incorporates Indonesian melodic patterns, African rhythms, American Jazz sensibilities, and Japanese Taiko drumming. All of these elements are seamlessly woven together to create a cohesive statement about striving for a better world.
9 t o 5
The numbers of the title refer to the ever-shifting meter of the piece. Inspired by the uneven rhythms of Bulgarian and Macedonian music, it leans into the surprisingly dance-like quality of these odd time signatures.
K h a n d a J o g
Khanda Jog is an exploration of South Indian melodic ideas and five beat rhythm cycles. The combination of Carnatic vocals, Japanese flute and Middle Eastern frame drum create an ancient yet modern dialog across cultures.
O
i
l F i e l d F i r e s
Oil Field Fires harnesses the fierce power of fossil fuel disasters that too frequently darken our skies and pollute our water. This piece is a flashback to the fires that were set by Saddam Hussein’s troops as they retreated out of Kuwait during the first Gulf War, as well as a plea for more climate protections today. The rapid fire exchanges between the melody and the percussion heighten the tension to the breaking point.
I n v o c a t i o n
This primal combination of drum and voice sends us on a journey where transcendent vocal harmonics sail above the earthly pulsation of the frame drum. These two elements feed on each other's energy, carrying the listener through waves of intensity, serenity, and otherworldly textures.
“My music is a celebration of the distinct power of cross-cultural collaboration and the transcendent beauty of collective creation. These compositions provided a generous platform for the artists to craft a dynamic new sound that weaves together Indian, Middle Eastern, Japanese, jazz, rock and minimalist traditions. Each is an individual journey that draws us into its search for hope, humanity, and connection across difference, at a time when so many forces are striving to divide us.”
- Shane Shanahan
This project was made possible with generous support from the Hartt School and a grant from the Larry Alan Smith Honorary Fund in recognition of Hartt School alumnus Shane Shanahan. Special thanks to: Larry Alan Smith, Dale Merrill, Steve Metcalf, Ben Toth, Sabrina Hayeem-Ladani, Cristin Bagnal, Lori Taylor, Glen Velez, and Yo-Yo Ma.
