| | FROM
Albuquerque, NM | MUSICAL GENRE
World | ADDITIONAL INFO
Goddess of Arno, performs hot Balkan-Roma (Gypsy) music from Albania, Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria. This 2002 New Mexico Mic Award winning quartet of women sing and accompany themselves on traditional ethnic string and percussion instruments as well as accordion, violin, guitar and electric bass. Once you hear them, you won’t stop dancing. Dance your own dance or learn simple ethnic line dances from an experienced folkdance teacher at their Balkan Dance parties. |
This band was added to our database on April 21, 2003, and the band's information was last updated 5 years ago. Beth Cohen is responsible for keeping this band's information up to date. This page has been viewed 903 time(s). |
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|  | This band/DJ has not uploaded any MP3 files.DESCRIPTION
Goddess of Arno is a quartet of talented women who have been involved with Balkan folk music for over 20 years. The group focuses on the music of the southern Balkans – Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, with an emphasis on the music and styling of the Rom (Gypsy) people of these areas. The musicians of Goddess of Arno love the exotic rhythms and scales, which the southern Balkans absorbed from the Ottoman Empire, and the passion of the Rom music, which also offers opportunities for instrumental improvisation. Goddess of Arno was originally formed as accompaniment to Svirka, women's Balkan Chorus and later developed its own identity (around 1994), known for exciting dance parties and concerts. The group has performed throughout the southwest and has recently released their full-length CD, Balkan Dance Party! The CD was nominated for 2 New Mexico Music Industry awards (2002) in the categories of "best production" and "best instrumental" and won the "best instrumental" category for their recording of "Beranche." | STYLES
Traditional Balkan music from Albania, Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria in the Rom (Gypsy) style and traditions. | INFLUENCES
Esma Rhedzhepova, Kenan Asan, Ramush Ramushi, Glikeria, Merita Halili, Kremena Stancheva, Trio Bulgarka, Medna Usta and Carol Silverman. | MEMBERS
Barbara Basinger has been studying and performing Eastern European, Balkan and Mid-Eastern music extensively since the late 1970's. She has studied accordion with world-renown ethnic accordionists. Classically trained on the piano as a child, Barbara brings a technically polished sound to the band, which is complimented by her intricate improvisational style. Barbara is also a member of The Rebbe's Orkestra, Klezmer and Judaic band and she is a founding member of the popular Svirka, Women's Balkan Chorus, begun in 1979.
Beth Cohen is well known as a vocalist, string musician and music teacher in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe area. She has been running her own music studio in Albuquerque since 1983, where she teaches voice, guitar and violin to students of all ages. Since 1995, Beth has been the musical director and cantorial soloist at Congregation Nahalat Shalom where she also directs their intergenerational Community Klezmer Band. Beth performs with the two Barbaras in The Rebbe's Orkestra, and from 1984 -1999 she was a member of Svirka, with whom she often performs as a guest artist. She is also a member of the vocal trio Earth Angels and the eclectic ethnic music trio E.C.K.
Barbara Friedman successfully combines expertise in Balkan singing, experience in instrumental music and undying enthusiasm. For over 20 years Barbara has been singing and playing music professionally as a member of Svirka and many other Middle-Eastern and Balkan groups. Barbara is also a member of The Rebbe's Orkestra and she is a special guest member of The Nahalat Shalom Community Klezband.
Leanne Mennin has been involved with Balkan music and dance since the 1960's. She was a dance director for eight years with the renowned, Los-Angeles-based, Aman Folk Ensemble, and has taught and performed extensively in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Leanne is a respected teacher of Balkan music who has taught workshops throughout the Western U.S. and she is the director of the popular Svirka, Women's Balkan chorus. | INSTRUMENTS
Barbara Basinger - accordion, daire and vocals. Beth Cohen -violin, guitar, tambura and vocals. Barbara Friedman - Macedonian and Bulgarian tamburas, electric bass and vocals. Leanne Mennin percussion (dumbek, tupan, def) and vocals. | REVIEWS
2002 NM Music Industry award "Best Instrumental" for their recording of "Beranche." | ALBUMS
Balkan Dance Party!! released in 2002
available in ABQ at Natural Sound or
Order through Goddess of Arno's web site or
[CDBaby : Discover Music] |
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