Festival closing concert featuring The Rustica Project, Santa Taranta, the Melbourne School of Tarantella and the Sanacori Ensemble, George El-Azar and Byron Triandafyllidis (Zourouna), Alejandro Florez and Brandon Lewis (Lewis Florez Duo), and more…
Sunday March 17, 12:00pm
Brunswick Neighbourhood House
43A DeCarle St, Brunswick
Tickets $30/$25
Entry includes Pugliese buffet lunch and a glass of wine.
The 2019 Melbourne Taranta Festival comes to a grandiose close with an afternoon of Mediterranean music with performances by:
The Rustica Project, modern Taranta, pop & traditional Italian folk music ensemble with vibrant vocals & rhythms designed to make you dance! Music from Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, Napoli…
Santa Taranta, a band playing a mix of original music and traditional music from southern Italy including Pizzica, Tammurriata, Stornelli, as well as Polkas from the barbershop and the occasional serenade d’amore, with a contemporary, worldly flair. . The group has hit the ground winning over crowds at the National Folk Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, Piers Festival, Fairbridge Festival, Illawarra Folk Festival as well as many concerts at prominent Melbourne music venues.
The Melbourne School of Tarantella, dedicated to Southern Italian traditional dances in Australia since 2011 and the Sanacori Music Ensemble, showcasing music and dances from the South of Italy with a fresh contemporary feel while keeping truthful to the tradition.
George El-Azar took an interest in percussion at an early age. Born and raised in Beirut Lebanon, he grew up immersed in traditional Middle Eastern music and culture. George’s technique is influenced by authentic Arabic percussion fused with modernised Turkish technique to create his own unique sound. He travels frequently to further develop his musicianship learning from master teachers including Syrian born percussionist Faisal Zedan, Hakan Kaya and Izet Kizil from Turkey, and Rony Barrak from Lebanon. George recently travelled to Greece,Turkey, and Lebanon for training, inspiration and continuous development of his passion for music. He has accompanied various Greek, Turkish, and Arabic artists and bands at several significant multicultural events such as the Victorian Premier’s Gala dinner at the Crown Palladium and Viva Victoria at federation square. He also performed at the opening ceremony of the Greek Orthodox Community Centre in Melbourne CBD.
Byron Triandafyllidis is an Australian born of Greek descent Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and lover of the arts and sciences. His main instruments are stringed such as guitar, bouzouki, violin and oud but also percussion such as the Darbuka. He has performed at numerous festivals and events around Australia and New Zealand as well as in Greece. Byron has opened for performers such as Greek singing legend George Dalaras, world music composer/multi-instrumentalist Omar Faruk Tekbilek, and as a percussionist for Greek pop star Michalis Hatzigiannis. Also, as a session musician, he has played on various labels and movies. Some of his vocals/playing can be heard on the Buddha Bar label and the movie Death Defying Acts, starring actors Catherine Zeta Jones and Guy Pearce.
The Lewis Florez Duo (Brandon Lewis and Alejandro Florez) combine forces to bring the fire of Flamenco, passionate Latin rhythms and smoothness of Jazz. A unique and inventive duo in the tradition of Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin – performers of genuine distinction.Two guitars engaged in improvised conversations creating an exciting atmosphere with original material and well-loved classics.
Rayan Aridi and Jihad Harba presenting Classical Arabic music from Lebanon, Egypt and other regions. Jihad has been known as Melbournes front man for Arabic music in the early and late 90s, as his voice and finesse on the Oud are ever so binding to the classic touch that he imprints on these traditional tunes. Rayan is a Melbourne based percussionist searching and collaborating with instruments that have almost been forgotten, in a journey is to revive the ancient touch & movement of the music that touches the soul, from Mediterranean waters to Egypt’s deserts and Indian temples.
Plus other musicians of Mediterranean traditions including Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Spain…
