Before settling in Portland, Oregon, Neftali Rivera was a professional musician in his native Puerto Rico. For several years there, he and his groups played popular dance music such as the meringue from the Dominican Republic. Later, he decided to return to his first love, the traditional music of Puerto Rico. In Portland, Rivera has […]
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Candelario Zamudio is a Mexican singer and requinto (five-string guitar) player who is originally from Gudalajara, Jalisco. Zamudio, who now lives in Portland, is a master guitarist with a florid, highly expressive style. Zamudio’s repertoire of over 300 compositions covers a vast range of traditional songs (rancheras, corridos, huapangoes, sones) as well as more contemporary […]
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Frank Ulwenya was born into the Luya ethnic group in the Maragoli area of Western Kenya, an area known for producing many of Kenya’s top musicians. Frank started to play guitar at age 10 and at 18 began to play in a group called the Sky Raiders, based in Nairobi, Kenya. From 1979 to 1985 […]
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Born in Pakro, in the eastern region of Ghana, Kofi Anang exhibited talent as both a dancer and musician from his youth. After graduating from the University of Ghana’s Institute of African Studies with honors, Kofi spent seven years with the Ghana National Dance Ensemble and performed throughout Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Having traveled […]
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Lora Chiorah-Dye was raised first in a traditional home and then at a mission in Zimbabwe. She first came to the United States in the 1970’s to join her then husband, Dumisani Maraire. Teaching her three children the marimba and mbira music of Zimbabwe, Lora began to create the nucleus of a musical ensemble. In […]
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Wawali Bonane was born in Banningville (now Bandundu), in the Democratic Republic of Congo (ex-Zaire). He was weaned on the sounds and rhythms of the Bandundu region. In 1966, Wawali dropped out of school with friend and partner Pepe Kalle, now one of Congo’s top stars, to form their first band, Les Monkoy. In 1974, […]
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Clarinetist and composer William O. Smith died in 2020 after a long and fruitful career, ranging from playing – as Bill Smith – with Dave Brubeck to performing and composing his own pioneering modern classical work. Bill was a longtime friend of Jack Straw and produced a number of projects here, including his 2001 album […]
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By the age of nine, Mara Gearman had decided to pursue a career in music. Her training included studies with Roberto Diaz and Karen Tuttle at the Curtis Institute of Music, and Pinchas Zukerman. Gearman has received awards from the Tertis International and Primrose Viola Competitions and has performed solo and chamber music throughout the […]
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John Teske is a composer, improviser, and double bassist. John composes chamber music for strings and mixed ensembles, often incorporating non-traditional techniques, notation, and elements of improvisation. He received his BM in Music Composition from the University of Washington where he studied with Joël-François Durand, Juan Pampin, and Josh Parmenter. Artist Support Program 2012: Record […]
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The members of Recess Monkey are three teachers who make kid’s music that grows out of their days in their classrooms. They continue to be praised across the country for singable, danceable songs that parents enjoy as much as their kids. Praised by People, Time, USA Today, The New York Times and NPR for their […]
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