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| Electrifying Flamenco, Balkan and Sharqui Beats. Border Bashing Dance Show! |
Tambura Rasa is a buoyant cultural cross-pollination that fuses contemporary grooves and traditional rhythms into one energetic musical brand all their own! Packed with fiery Spanish guitar, fully orchestrated Baladi Gypsy string section, burning Afro-Latin percussion and sensual Flamenco and Belly dancers, this 8-piece act raises the roof and lights-up skies of any concert grounds they land on.
The spirited dance melodies leap out at you as singer Ivan Tucakov, unleashes lyrics in half a dozen languages. He’s assembled an ethnically and musically diverse signature group that has attracted a growing following, from those who like to dance to music lovers who like to take in the intricacies of the song compositions.
Tambura Rasa blends genres and cultures from every continent on three powerful albums starting with the release of “Sunrise on a New World” in 2004. In 2006, the band followed that CD up with ‘Viaje’ (Journey) and then with the latest project in 2008, ‘Kamanala’ (Sanskrit for Fire of Love). The famous lounge compilation ‘Café del Mar’ (vol XIII and XVI) released Electronic mixes of two of their songs (Cinnabar and Gypsy Love from the 2009 ‘Tambura Rasa Beats’ collection) and hit world music charts and air-waves all around the planet.
Global in its reach, Tambura Rasa has become BC’s favorite caravan of vivacious globalistas, filling everything from intimate soft-seat theatre shows, large dance filled festivals to hip urban clubs in attempt to bring dance, joy and vigor to the world around them.
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Tambura Rasa Workshops
If desired, Tambura Rasa may present the following workshops:
- Flamenco Dance with Karen Pitkethly
- Belly Dance with Leah
- Spanish/Flamenco guitar technique workshop with Ivan Tucakov
- African Drumming and Rhythm workshop with Pepe Danza
- Gypsy Violin techniques with Michael Fraser
- Drum Kit technique workshop with Trevor Grant
- Bass Guitar Techniques with John Bews
Tambura Rasa Discography:
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Tambura Rasa Beats
2009
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Kamanala
2008 |
Viaje
2006 |
Sunrise on a New World 2004 |
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'Tambura Rasa peppered our stages with a dynamic blend of world
fusion, continually adding hits of the exotic, mysterious, and
exciting - leaving audiences hungry for the next course! A true feast
for the senses. Through instrument, song and dance, they defined this
year's theme Global Fusion and were without question, a festival
highlight!'
Lynn Feasey, Director
Folk On the Rocks Folk Festival, Yellowknife, NT
'What a class act! They were received exuberantly not only by our fans but also the community that hosted them. These incredibly
talented musicians were the hit of our festival. TR is world beat
unleashed and unlimited.'
Keith Alexander Artistic Director
Edge of the World Music Festival 2008, Queen Charlottes BC
'Tambura Rasa's CD is very good, but to really experience the band's energy you must see their live performance - they blew the audience
away. Ivan and the band threw absolutely everything they had into the
show and had everyone on their feet from beginning to end. My only
regret was that I hadn't booked them for more than one night.'
Clay Brander, Artistic Director
Sunshine Music Festival 2008, Powell River, BC
Tambura Rasa were one of the big surprises of the 2008 KMF.....their 'sound was big, luscious and melodic and they got the audience moving and grooving. Their ability to combine traditional flamenco style
guitar with contemporary dance beats in a simple and gettable way make them irresistible on the festival dance floor!'
Devaki Thomas Festival Director
Komasket Folk Fest 2008, Vernon BC
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Tambura Rasa is: |
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Ivan Tucakov (Nylon-String Guitar, Vocals),
Ivan of Serbo-Croation descent, was born in Belgrade, Serbia. He spent the first eight years of his childhood in the plains of central Turkey after which he moved back to Serbia, both the crossroads of Eastern and Western Cultures. Throughout the years, Ivan has travelled extensively in pursuit of artistic inspiration. Since moving to Vancouver, he formed Tambura Rasa with the aim of expanding the boundaries of world-fusion music. |
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Joseph ‘Pepe’ Danza (Percussion)
Pepe is an electrifying percussionist and multi-instrumentalist. A native of Montevideo, Uruguay, he began classical guitar studies at the age of eight, and started his professional career at thirteen. He continued his studies in guitar as well as in piano, composition, music history and the physics of sound at the National Conservatory. All along he was naturally immersed in his native Candombe rhythms, the national groove of Uruguay and a fundamental element in the identity of all Uruguayans. |
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Michael Fraser (Violin)
Michael started playing the violin at age 4 and by age 9, he was already smitten with the old jazz standards, particularly with the raunchy fiddling of his idol, Stuff Smith. In 2001, Michael was the recipient of a British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame Foundation Scholarship in recognition of his “demonstrated talent, dedication and future potential in the field of music.”
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Trevor Grant (Drums)
Trevor received his Bachelor of Music in classical percussion from Mount Allison Universtiy (New Brunswick) in
1992 and studied Jazz at St. Francis Xavier University (Nova
Scotia) in 1993. During this time he was selected to play in the
Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa in the Summer. Since
relocating to Vancouver in fall 1993, eh has explored many
musical styles from rock to jazz, funk, world and electronica and
has played, toured and recorded with many artists He teaches
at the Pacific Drum Centre. |
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John Bews (Bass)
John plays a variety of styles for several local acts. Playing both upright and electric bass has helped him get opportunities to work with projects like Radiogram (recording two albums and touring), Mary Ancheta (local shows and recording upcoming album), Sweatshop Union (recording for their third album), Transientworld (recording various tracks) and others, as well as some time playing with the Fraser Valley Symphony while he was studying classically with Ann Stafford. |
| The Dancers: |
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Karen Pitkethly (Flamenco Dancer)
Karen has trained intensively in ballet, contemporary, and flamenco dance. She has been performing professionally for over ten years. Some performance include: Vancouver Opera’s production of “Carmen”, Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, featured soloist in Flamenco Festivals throughout Vancouver. She is also co-director and owner of “Aurora Dance” performing “brio” – a fresh approach to flamenco dance. |
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Leah (Sharqui Dancer)
Leah has been dancing since she was a child. Starting out with Ballet and later discovering Belly Dance in her teens. Inspired by the earthy rhythms and haunting melodies of Middle Eastern music, Leah will transport you to the intoxicating world of the Middle East.
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