TAMBURA RASA

World Fusion Music! Gypsy Violin,  Flamenco Guitar,
Cuban Percussion ... Scorching Hot Global Dance Parties
featuring Flamenco & Belly Dancers!

In the midst of a lot of gimmicky fusion, Tambura Rasa stands out as a group that has formed a worthwhile synthesis of music from many cultures.

In 2004, guitarist Ivan Tucakov (eevan tutsakov) formed the collective Tambura Rasa. Since then, Tambura Rasa has made a name for itself by playing its signature blend of Gypsy Violin, Flamenco Guitar, Balkan Rhythms and Afro-Cuban Percussion.

With their two CDs 'Sunrise on a New World' (2004), 'Viaje' (2006), the new CD scheduled to be released in spring 2008, as well as over a dozen styles to pull from, Tambura Rasa bring us a rich, multicultural blend of contemporary grooves and traditional rhythms. In their regularly sold-out live acts and a solid fan base, Tambura Rasa weaves a tapestry of lively danceable melodies, complete with Belly Dancers and fiery Flamenco. They serve up an odyssey through the great musical passions of ancient and present-day folk-cultures.

Some of the continuing members of the band include violinist Michael Fraser, bass player John Bews and multi-percussionists Joseph ‘Pepe Danza’ and Mike Michalkow.

Tambura Rasa - Etymology

Tambura Rasa is derived from a few ideas and philosophies to create a concept of bringing the music and cultures across the globe together in a new undiscovered way.

Tabula Rasa, or "blank slate" (in Latin), is a basic idea from Ancient Greece that individual human beings are born "blank" (with no built-in mental content), and that their identities are defined overwhelmingly by events after birth.

Tambura is a word of Persian-Arabian origin. It is a cordophonian instrument from a family of long necked lautas (luths). Various forms: tanbur, tamburica (Balkans), tambura (South India), tanpura (North India), etc. Rasa - in Sanskrit means the 'spice' of sound and music. It is also a definition for a playful Indian dance.

Tambura Rasa Is:

MP3 AUDIO SAMPLES:

Anadol Delerio Viaje

PROMO MATERIAL :

Fact Sheet Reviews Stage Plot

VIDEO FOOTAGE

FOR BOOKING, CONTACT:
TURNER MUSIC AND EVENTS
Suite 1104, 207 West Hastings St.,
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7
Phone (604) 662-4144
Fax (604) 662-4116 or
Email jeff@turnermusic.com

Ivan Tucakov – Nylon-String Guitar, Vocals

Ivan, of Serbo-Croation descent, was born in Belgrade (Serbia, former Yugoslavia). 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 former Tambura Rasa with the aim of expanding the boundaries of world-fusion music.

Joseph ‘Pepe’ Danza– Percussion

Joseph ‘Pepe’ Danza 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.

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.

Mike Michalkow – Drums/Percussion

Mike has been performing, recording and teaching drums and percussion for over 17 years. He studied with Mitch Dorge (Crash Test Dummies) and also graduated in Latin and Jazz at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, Alberta at the top of his class. He currently owns his own teaching studio (The Langley Music Connection) and performs at the Vancouver International
Drum Festivals.

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 raunchy fiddling of his idol, Stuff Smith. Stuff’s hard-swinging style is a definite influence on Michael’s improvisations. He must be on the right track because in 2001, Michael was recipient of a British Columbia Entertainment Hall of Fame Foundation Scholarship in recognition of his “demonstrated talent, dedication and future potenial in the field of music.”

Karen Michelle 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.

Leah – Belly 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.