 In
a world where Middle Eastern drumming has traditionally been the realm
of Arabic males, Raquy Danziger is an anomaly. Audiences are not only
surprised by this young woman from America, but captivated by her
virtuosity, profound musicality and the passion she brings to
performances. Her varied repertoire includes traditional Middle Eastern
music as well as her own compositions.
A classically trained pianist, Raquy
first discovered hand drumming
during her travels in Varanase, India where she immersed herself in the
study of Indian rhythmic cycles. Raquy was then drawn to
the
dumbek
(otherwise known as tabla) and the groove of Middle Eastern music. In
the last few years, Raquy has found her own voice as a soloist, group
leader and composer. She writes compositions for ensembles comprised of
her students as well as master players from the Middle East. In 2002
she formed Raquy and the Cavemen where she also plays the
Iranian kamanche, a rare and exotic bowed
instrument.
Raquy’s infectious enthusiasm for
Middle Eastern music has made her one
of the most sought after teachers of Middle Eastern drumming in NYC. An
inspiration to scores of students locally and hundreds more at drumming
camps and retreats around the country, Raquy has roused a wave of
“Dumbek Fever” sweeping America. Other than Raquy and the Cavemen CD's,
Raquy has also made
“Masmudi”
(2001), featuring beautiful traditional Middle-Eastern songs played by
some of NY's greatest Middle-Eastern musicians.
Raquy's website: www.raquy.com
Liron Peled
Guitar and Dumset
Liron was born
in Israel, and started playing drumset at 10 years old. He moved to the
states with his rock band "EMOK", where he was drawn to Middle Eastern
music and started playing dumbek. Besides Raquy and the Cavemen, he has
been a busy performer, producer and composer, and has collaborated with
artists such as Omar Faruk Tekbilek and Balkan Beat Box.
Liron grew up on hard rock music (like Rage Against the Machine,
Metallica, Pantera, Led Zeppelin and more) and that's what gives Raquy
and the Cavemen that powerful edge that makes you want to bang your
head.
Liron plays Dumset,
which is a contraption he invented comprised of a Bass Dumbek played
with a right foot pedal, a Riq (tambourine) played with a left foot
pedal, a dumbek in his lap and cymbals played with his hands.
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