Posted by: thepinetree on 05/27/2010 11:35 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 06/14/2010 02:30 PM
Expires: 01/01/2015 12:00 AM
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" Fishtank Ensemble" June 16, Copperopolis Town Square
Copperopolis, CA....Back by popular demand because of the earth shattering, deafening applause at Music in the Parks 2009 finale, Fishtank Ensemble opens Calaveras Arts Council’s free summer music series in Copperopolis Town Square on June 16 at 6:30p – 8:00p. The LA Weekly calls them “cross pollinated gypsy music….one of the most thrilling young acts on the planet.” Starting at 6:30 pm in Copperopolis, Town Square, this unique group will show off its two explosive violins, the world's best slap bass player, musical saw, flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar, trombone, opera, jazz and gypsy vocals, accordion and one little banjolele. Tackling everything from French hot jazz to wild Serbian and Transylvanian gypsy anthems, Flamenco, and oddball originals, Fishtank Ensemble is a not to be missed event for world music lovers...and everyone will love this intoxicating mix of music....
Pictured from left to right: Djordje Stejepovic, Doug Smolens, Ursula Knudson, Fabrice Martinez
Eyes and ears tend to focus on Ursula Knudson who plays the violin, the carpenter saw, and sings beautifully in Romanian, French, Japanese, and sometimes even in English, her native tongue. At times, you can’t tell if it’s her voice or the saw, which, by the way, was a folk-music staple in the mid-nineteenth century and experienced its greatest popularity during the days of vaudeville. Knudson is doing her part to revive the saw and its gossamer, voice like sound.
Fabrice Martinez is a gifted fiddler who traveled Europe in a mule-drawn caravan collecting and playing folk music with the group Croque Mule. Originally from France before living in the caravan, his special love is Romanian folk music. He also plays Gypsy, Hungarian, Swedish, and many other kinds of music.
Doug Smolens is an accomplished Flamenco guitarist, producer and composer. Performing as "el douje," his playing is a unique and bold mixture of traditional and modern styles, from 'jondo' flamenco to modern day world fusion/drum and bass/techno.
Japanese shaisen player and bassist Djordje Stejepovic studied classical music, but now, his signature slap bass brings down the house.
Recently interviewed on NPR Capital Radio, Fishtank Ensemble said “we play mostly what interests us.” Fishtank Ensemble is a wild ride and a mesmerizing good way to begin this year’s Music in the Parks.
Catch them in Calaveras at Copperopolis, Town Square, just off Highway 4 on Town Square Road. The concert is free. Bring your picnics and low back chairs. Call the Calaveras Arts Council for info or visit www.calaverasarts.org.
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