Tomchess (Oud/ney, USA) and Kamyar Arsani (Daf and vocals, Iran)
The duo just released an a compelling album called “Rhyming Awake” to direct us back to our roots, as we dance forward towards new home
Tomchess:
Tomchess is a Multi-instrumentalist/ Improviser/Composer. He plays Reeds, Western Flute, Arabic/Turkish Ney flute, Oud, and Guitar. He also has a history of using electronics /sampling/live-sampling/loops/ fx. He has performed with Drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson’ Decoding Society, Butch Morris’s Sheng Skyscraper, recorded with Tenor players Dewey Redman, Pharoah Sanders, Morrocan Sintarist Hassan Hakmoun and Butch Morris. He has also led a guitar trio with Drummer Phil Haynes and bassist Drew Gress called Seven Times a Year. He has studied Middle/Near Eastern and West African musics, spending time in West Africa playing and performing. He has studied with Bassam Saba, Omer Erdogdular, Tidiani Bangoura, Abdul Aziz Tourè and Mohammad Camarra. He has also conducted workshops and master classes/lectures and performances in the NYC Public school system as well as New Jersey and Universities and institutions such as Asia Society NY, Johnson State College Vermont, Columbia University, SUNY Fredonia College, McDaniels College, Carrol Community College, Md, and Gettysburg College Pa. He currently lives in NYC where he performs with his different ensembles and works as a freelance musician. He has been nominated for an 2012 Independent Music Award. He can be heard on Grammy Nominated recordings and movie soundtracks.
Kamyar Arsani:
Multi-instrumentalist,singer song writer and Daf player (Iranian frame drum) was born and raised in Iran. He migrated to USA with his family in 2008 and since then has performed at Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Smithsonian museums, VOA and various national festivals. Beside his solo project (he calls it “DafPunk”) he sings in a band called “Time is Fire” and works as a before and aftercare program director in DC schools. He recently collaborated with NYC artist Tomchess and recorded/produced an album called “Rhyming Awake”
PWISANS ETE’NEL
A newly formed duo comprised of two of Baltimore’s leading artist, multi-instrumentalist Jamal Moore and Bashi Rose( Film and Percussion).
Their aim is to journey into the spiritual abyss channeling ancestral roots through music.
“If the music is not played with pure intention from the heart and soul, then what is it worth” Bashi Rose.
Together they will be bringing in new sonic chemistry of sound via composition and heavy improvisational synergy.