Balkan trio, East of West will entertain and conduct a ukulele masterclass for attendees at the next Folk Redlands at the Redlands Modern Country Music Club, 226 Cleveland Redland Bay Road, Thornlands at 2pm on February 16.
East of West is a fresh project from players firmly grounded in professional music performance. Offering a captivating new take on the fusion between world music and jazz, the trio perform original music with a focus on improvisation. Inspired by the music of the Mediterranean and Balkans, the trio explores new compositions showcasing each of the players' extensive experience performing at both national and international levels.
The trio consists of Bosnian-born Goran Gaji (double bass), Philip Griffin (oud) and Malindi Morris (hand percussion). All three are active in professional music scenes, including world, jazz, folk, & baroque. Goran Gaji plays with and composes for the Queensland Music Award winning band Mzaza; Philip Griffin works or has worked with internationally renowned musicians such as Linsey Pollak, Tunji Beier, Frankie Armstrong and Ross Daly; Malindi Morris and has worked with internationally known guitarists 'Duo Aritmija' in Slovenia, composing for and directing the project 'Lastovka' and was one of the founding band leaders of the Balkan brass band 'The Transbalkan Express'.
Philip Griffin will also host a one hour Ukulele Masterclass workshop suitable for experienced ukulele players who wish to explore playing in an ukulele ensemble/ orchestra. The workshop will explore pieces arranged specifically for ukulele. If you have a good grounding in ukulele and are keen to stretch your skills by playing arrangements made especially for ukulele orchestra, join the fun at this fabulous masterclass! The pieces will work best if there is a good mix of different ukulele types - baritones, low-G tenors, uBass are very welcome!
Griffin is an accomplished performer, choir leader and musical director who in 2019 ran an overwhelmingly successful 3-day ukulele masterclass as part of the Woodfordia Planting Festival Artisan Camp. He has spent the last 40 years performing, composing, teaching and conducting ensembles around Australia, New Zealand and Europe and plays ukulele, guitar, lutes, bass and oud.
The afternoon will start at 1pm with walk-up blackboard performers.
Entry is $3 for members and $5 for non members.
Folk Redlands is a not-for-profit club with a focus on bringing people together through music. Regular events are held on the third Sunday of the month.
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