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On tour with Taro Terahara
Posted by Shen on 18 Jan 2012 | Tagged as: Blog
This summer we were lucky to have our old friend, bansuri master Taro Terahara returning to Australia, this time with his wife Yuriko. (Click here for an index of blogs on Taro’s previous Australian tours.) Taro and Shen kicked off the tour with a couple of classical shows, which you can read about on Shen’s blog, before being joined by Tibet2Timbuk2 for a concert in the splendid gompa at Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Community, on the anniversary of HH the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
Tibet2Timbuk2 with special guest Taro Terahara, at Chenrezig Gompa.
Many thanks to Yuriko for the following videos of the concert:
And thanks to Lesley for the following videos of the concert:
For Taro’s second weekend in Australia this summer, we had a 3 stop tour of NSW. We were hosted in Bellingen by Roots Records, who were celebrating their 1st birthday. Then the Wauchope Arts Council welcomed us back after our show there in January, and we closed out the weekend with an afternoon show at Sphinx Rock Cafe near Mt Burrell, NNSW.
Tenzin and Shen have toured Japan with Taro a couple of times now, but this was our first chance to have both Marcello and Taro playing together for a series of really good shows. The chemistry that developed was really fantastic, and these were some brilliant concerts. (Here’s a review of the Bellingen show.)
Bellingen:
Wauchope:
Sphinx Rock Cafe:
This is a U-Stream (live internet stream) archive of our Sphinx Rock Cafe concert. The sound is not the best!
Concert review: T2T2 @ Bellingen 16/12/2011
Posted by Shen on 18 Jan 2012 | Tagged as: Blog
Tibet2Timbuk2 – Concert review
by ALBE posted on JANUARY 15, 2012
The small crowd gathered in the foyer of the Bellingen Theatre, beneath photographs of Tibet and Timbuktu and images of the Dogon people, from Mali in North Africa. The watching eye of a golden Buddha head, Tibetan flags and homemade pastries helped set the scene for a night of transcendental music by classical Japanese flautist, Taro Terahara, and the fusion of Tibetan and North African rhythms from the band Tibet2Timbukt2.
The opening mantra from the exquisite voice of Yuki Tasogare, who played the tambura, along with Shen Flindell on tabla, formed a beautiful and unforgettable introduction to the evening. Her classical mantra set the tone for what was to become, not so much a performance by highly talented artists, but more a meditation that would be remembered long after the evening finished.
Following Tasogare’s delicate subtle chanting, classical flautist Taro Terahara performed what surely was one of the longest flute recitals of all time, producing a melodic and haunting sound that echoed to the deepest reaches of the mind. Taro has had many years of yoga training, which enables him to play the flute with such precision and beauty. His recital required a deep concentration on the breath – only a yogi with years of training and meditation could hold notes to such a degree of perfection. The ebb and flow of his breath and the sounds that followed transported the audience to a place beyond their normal day to day ponderings – to a state of deep meditation – where the mind resonates to the sounds of other worlds, far beyond the mountains of Tibet.
An intermission of chai and sweet chocolate macadamia brownies brought everyone back to earth, accompanied by an on-screen display of wonderful images of the Sahara Desert, the Dogon people in Mali and the sacred Mount Kailas in Tibet. When we resumed our seats, the performance of Tibet2Timbuktu2 began with a fusion of the best music from both worlds.
The band members Tenzin Choegyal, Marcello Milani, Shen Findell and Taro Terahara were in perfect harmony with each other, joking in a relaxed way about Karma and Lamas. Tenzing Choegyal, the lead singer, sang with such control and strength it was as if he was calling the spirit of Tibet into our presence. His voice was powerful and vibrant. In a spontaneous moment, Shen Findell, the tabla player, suggested to Tensing Choegyal that he might like to perform a tune he did some years ago in Japan, when he first met Taro Terahara. At first he seemed a little confused, as though he wasn’t sure – then, in a precise moment, he had the flute to his lips; for around 10 seconds, in absolute silence from the stage and audience, with one deep breath he sounded a note of such high key and beauty that he instantly transported everyone to a heightened state. It was almost as if Tenzin Choegyal was channelling this music from a master flautist somewhere in the mountains of Tibet. Along with the classical sound of Taro Terahara, they formed what was, for most in the audience, an exceptional musical experience. This unrehearsed flute recital was the highlight of the performance and, I’m sure, redefined the concept of flute music for an appreciative audience.
The evening ended with a Tibetan chant. The audience were asked to join in with the words “OM MANI PADME OM” – “the jewel in the lotus”. Softly they began the mantra, sounding it over and over, ending the show on a blissful note. An evening not to be forgotten.
Crystal Waters: Fri 14 Oct Tibet2Timbuk2 with Nicholas Ng
Posted by Shen on 02 Oct 2011 | Tagged as: Blog
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Crystal Waters is proud to present the amazing music of Tibet2Timbuk2 with special guest Nicholas Ng (erhu). If you have never been to one of our wonderful outdoor concerts this is the one to catch.
Friday 14th October
Crystal Waters Eco Village
$20 – kids free and welcome
7pm til late
TIBET2TIMBUK2
Rollicking Tibetan folk, afro-reggae guitar grooves and intricate Indian tabla… Sounds as if they were made for each other! Together, Tenzin Choegyal, Marcello Milani and Shen Flindell create a new joyful sound that transcends cultural boundaries.
“This is a combination of Africa, India and Tibet, that, for all its unlikeliness, has resulted in a musical masterpiece.” (Mike Raine, Indie-CDs)
Tibet2Timbuk2 has an eclectic repertoire resulting in an overall sound which is full and organic. All three musicians share melody, harmony, bass and percussion roles to create a solid yet easy groove.
NICHOLAS NG
Dr Nicholas Ng (b. 1979) composes both contemporary classical and commercial music. As a performer, Nicholas plays the erhu (Chinese ‘violin’) for multicultural performances, multimedia artwork, theatre, dance and meditation. In 2008, Nicholas completed a PhD in composition and ethnomusicology with Prof. Larry Sitsky and Dr. Stephen Wild at the ANU School of Music, where he wrote a 50-minute chamber opera, Eclipse. He is now researching, composing and performing as a newly appointed Research Fellow at Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University and recently curated a 4-day festival Encounters: Musical meetings between Australia and China Encounters ..
Fascinated by the human voice, Nicholas is especially eager to combine voice with instrumental forces in innovative ways while marrying the ancient and modern through the use of traditional instruments and electronic sound.
Tenzin and Shen’s Japan tour 2011
Posted by Shen on 14 Aug 2011 | Tagged as: Blog
Tenzin and Shen from Tibet2Timbuk2 have just completed a massive 2 week, 14 show tour of Japan with regular T2T2 guest musician Taro Terahara. You can read the full story on Shen’s blog, and see loads of photos on his Facebook album. Here’s a brief sample:
Fri July 28: Gokokuji Temple, hosted by Tibet House Japan.
Sun July 31: Saitama, Oppe Gallery – In most concerts, Taro and Tenzin performed a beautiful flute duet along with Tibetan nomad song. (Check out “Tibet: Awakened Heart” to hear both kinds of music.)
Mon 8 August Osaka, Chakra
Wed 10 August Kobe, Chicken George – not a KFC copy as the name might indicate, but in fact one of the biggest most famous live houses in Kansai, since 1980. Wonderful sound system!
“Tso Marpo” @ Gokokuji
Concert with Menaka Visvanathan
Posted by Shen on 06 Aug 2011 | Tagged as: Blog
On Sat July 16 Tibet2Timbuk2 played a concert in The Basement, Gold Coast Arts Centre, with a very special guest – South Indian vocalist Menaka Visvanathan. She really added a wonderful flavour to our music with luscious high vocal solos and harmonies. If you’re on Facebook you might be able to see this video of us accompanying her in a bhajan.
Tenzin and Shen Japan tour 2011
Posted by Shen on 23 Jul 2011 | Tagged as: Blog
Tibet2Timbuk2’s Tenzin and Shen will be on tour around Japan with our good friend, bansuri master Taro Terahara. The tour info page with full info in Japanese can be found here.
For those of you who can’t read Japanese, here’s a list of tour dates (though the links lead to more info in Japanese… google translate very helpful here.)
Thu Jul 28, 2011
| 6:30pm |
Fri Jul 29, 2011
| 7pm |
Sat Jul 30, 2011
| 5:30pm |
Sun Jul 31, 2011
| 3pm |
Mon Aug 1, 2011
| 7pm |
Wed Aug 3, 2011
Thu Aug 4, 2011
| 7pm |
Sat Aug 6, 2011
| 5:30pm |
Sun Aug 7, 2011
| 8:30pm |
Mon Aug 8, 2011
| 7pm |
Tue Aug 9, 2011
| 8pm |
Wed Aug 10, 2011
| 7:30pm |
Zillmere Multicultural Festival and New Farm Tabo Benefit
Posted by Shen on 13 Jul 2011 | Tagged as: Blog
On Sat 4th June, Tibet2Timbuk2 had a couple of fun gigs in one day, firstly at Zillmere Multicultural Festival in the afternoon. It was a lovely afternoon for a festival which also included Tenzin’s solo performance and other music and dance performances from local communities from around the world. Unfortunately we couldn’t enjoy much of the other music because we had to rush off to New Farm to play a benefit concert for a school in Tabo, Spiti, north India. We played some very peaceful improvisations in the evening concert.
Our next show will be on Saturday 16th July at The Basement in Surfers Paradise, with special guest Menaka Visvanathan. This will be our last show before Tenzin and Shen head off for a Japan tour, July 28 to August 10.
Tibet2Timbuk2 at Zillmere Multicultural Festival
Tibet2Timbuk2 performing in Merthyr Uniting Church
Fri Dec 10 Brisbane – World by Night feat. Tibet2Timbuk2
Posted by Shen on 06 Dec 2010 | Tagged as: Blog
Don’t miss the World By Night, BEMAC are taking over the CBD (or at least a part of it…lol..) on Friday 10th December from 6pm – 9pm with 3 stages of world music in King George Square, Albert Street and Burnett Lane, there will also be food and craft stalls and workshops!!
Take a trip around the world in Brisbane’s own backyard!
BEMAC are pleased to present the city’s best world music, including a special performance by the winner of 2010’s Q Song World Music category. Performers are such as Tibet2Timbuk2, Brisbane Babas Band, Heather Lee & Kim Cunio, La Grand Salsa, Bilge Ozgun, Delkash, Baalo Baajo, Walisuma.
Bring a blanket and strech out under the stars, or kick up your heels and tango. Take your pick from the amazing array of food from across the globe; discerning Christmas shoppers can browse for gifts with a world flavour.
Location: King George Square, Albert Street, Brunett Lane street
Free Event.
Our mailing address is:
Yungaba 120 Main st
Kangaroo Point
PO Box 7299
East Brisbane, QLD 4169
E-mail: admin@bemac.org.au
Copyright (C) 2010 BEMAC All rights reserved.
Fri 3 Dec Byron: Tibet2Timbuk2 and friends
Posted by Shen on 27 Nov 2010 | Tagged as: Blog
Tibet2Timbuk2 perform at Byron Community Centre on Friday Dec 3 with special guests Peter Hunt (trumpet – Kooii) and Armando Ornano (bansuri, bamboo flute), with opening mantras by Yuki Taniguchi. Come on a journey from Tibet to Timbuktu!
Rollicking Tibetan folk, afro-reggae guitar grooves and intricate Indian tabla… Sounds as if they were made for each other! Together, Tenzin Choegyal, Marcello Milani and Shen Flindell create a new joyful sound that transcends cultural boundaries.
“This is a combination of Africa, India and Tibet, that, for all its unlikeliness, has resulted in a musical masterpiece.” (Indie-CDs Review)
For more information check tibet2timbuk2.com and youtube.com/tibet2timbuk2
Friday 3rd December 7:30pm
$25 / $20 conc
Buy Now:
http://byroncentre.com.au/whats-on/buy-tickets
Snow Lion Japan tour
Posted by Shen on 27 Nov 2010 | Tagged as: Blog
From Oct 19 to Nov 16 this year, Tibet2Timbuk2’s Tenzin Choegyal and Shen Flindell toured Japan with our good friend, brilliant bansuri player Taro Terahara. Taro and Tenzin have just released a beautiful new album , “Tibet: Awakened Heart”, also titled “Snow Lion” in Japan. The tour had 12 concerts in Tokyo, Gifu, Kyoto, Osaka, Kamakura, Niigata and Saitama, plus some beautiful walks to temples, through forests and over mountains, and some nice hot spring baths.
Tabla player Shen has posted some photos and stories of the tour on his blog in 6 parts: Tokyo, Fuji, Sangeet Mela, Kyoto/Osaka, Tokyo again, Niigata, Saitama. You can also see all the photos on Shen’s facebook album. Here are a few samples…
