“Circuitous Roots"
an evening of Percussion Duos featuring
Lara Gonzalez , Yael Shacham and
 M'biradinda (Glen Fittin & Michael Toal)

For nearly 10 years these four percussionists have been weaving melodic world rhythms in and out of each other's radar and for audiences all over this fine land. All are teaching artists, as well as engaging performers committed to their craft. This is the first time they will be presenting their creative material as duos in tandem. There are sure to be some surprises during this evening of global grooves and circuitous connections!

Lara Gonzalez & Yael Shacham Percussion Duo -
Sisters. That's what this pair is most often mistaken for and smile at the compliment. The time they have spent making and studying music together contributes to the synchronism between them. They have studied with some of the most gifted musicians of our time including Sanga-of-the-Valley, M'Bemba Bangoura, Madeleine Yayodele Nelson and Babatunde Olatunji. Founding members of Earth Meets Our Feet Percussion Ensemble and Primal Rhythm Tribe, Yael and Lara have made the transition from ensemble performances to duo with ease and creativity. Their material - some original, some traditional combining rhythm, movement, song and spoken word - is influenced deeply by their love and active study of West African hand drumming and features djembe and shekere, as well as an eclectic array of percussion. They are spending time at Hungry Goat Studios working on a forthcoming release . . . stay tuned for details. For more info visit www.rootsheartpulse.com

M'biradinda (featuring Glen Fittin and Michael Toal) -
This duo's unique common thread is dance accompaniment. Glen and Michael have been working together for years in the movement world supporting university dance departments (Montclair State, Rutgers) as well as major dance companies (Paul Taylor, Trisha Brown, Umoja). It was this thread the led them on their journey of discovering world percussion together, successfully using global percussion instruments as their creative vehicle to bridge the gap between traditional and a non traditional music. This duo is one of the few in the states that perform on the rare and unusual East African xylophone called the amadinda. In addition, Mbiradinda feature frame drums (Moroccan bendir, Celtic bodhran, Egyptian riqq, tar and gaval of Central Asia) and Shona mbira (thumb piano).

The live synergy created by these two percussionists has been captured on their debut CD entitled "Circulation" which will be available at the performance. Glen is also a percussionist for the "Lion King". For more info visit www.glenfittin.com