What's New
greetings everyone,
i hope you're having a great start to the Fall season. as always, thank you for passing through and for your continued support. the rest of 2023 looks exciting, filled with beautiful music, created by (and created with) beautiful people. take a look below and if you can, come by and say "hi" ....
in the meantime, peace, love and blessings
damon
CURRENTLY: On Tour with Arun Ramamurthy Trio "ART" (description)
The Arun Ramamurthy Trio (ART) has a unique take on age-old South Indian classical repertoire. The Carnatic canon is reimagined in this organic and seamless integration of styles, as the group expands on traditional forms in explosive, improvisational flights of fancy. The trio’s collaborative sound is driven by the propulsive rhythm section of drummer Sameer Gupta and electric bassist Damon Banks. His Chamber Music America commissioned Amāvyasā Suite (‘new moon’ in Sanskrit) speaks to the experiences of our elders and ancestors, and the lessons we take on our own personal journeys. The suite was premiered in late 2022 in New York. Since its premiere, the trio has been performing to sold-out audiences in Europe and the USA. The Trio recorded its latest record in January 2022, and it will be released winter 2023.
COMING UP:
Thursday 9/28, 7 PM
ART (Arun Ramamurthy Trio)
Arun Ramamurthy - Violin, Damon Banks - Electric Bass, Sameer Gupta - Drums + percussion) at
Towne Crier Cafe 379 Main Street, Beacon NY 12508
Ticket link:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/36434/production/1176563?performanceId=11346025
Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/813349226908400/
Friday 9/29 , 7 PM
ART (Arun Ramamurthy Trio)
Arun Ramamurthy - Violin, Damon Banks - Electric Bass, Sameer Gupta - Drums + percussion) at
Joe’s Pub 425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Pl) NY, NY 10003
Event/Ticket link:
https://publictheater.org/productions/joes-pub/2023/a/arun-ramamurthy-trio/
Saturday / Sunday 10/14 - 10/15 (4 AM SET !!)
Ragas LIVE! with "Quadrature" featuring:
Neel Murgai (Electric Sitar, Vocals, EFX) Indofunk Satish (Firebird Trumpet, EFX) Tripp Dudley (Drums) Damon Banks (Bass)
https://www.quadraturemusic.com/
Saturday 10/28 (time TBA)
Italian Surf Academy at Barbes Brooklyn
Marco Cappelli (Guitar) Damon Banks (Bass) Dave Miller (Drums)
** MORE CONCERTS IN NOVEMBER & DECEMBER TBA **
ongoing "Arts in Education / El Sistema" business
so, a couple of years ago I co-founded “Creative Strings Improvisers Ensemble LLC” with my wife, the amazing violinist / composer Gwen Laster. We are an El Sistema affiliated program, and we create and facilitate masterclasses, workshops, virtual concerts and professional development workshops for music instructors worldwide. Our basic program is entitled "Stand Up, Take a Solo". If you are a parent, an educator and/or an independent music organization (and are seeking a progressive, well-rounded musical experience for young musicians) let us know. We would love to work with your students!
video: https://vimeo.com/514071738
go here for more information about C.S.I.E. here: https://www.gwenlaster.net/creative-strings-improvisers-ensemble.html
Gwen Laster’s “Blue Lotus” record (under the group name New Muse 4tet) is out, receiving rave reviews and can be previewed and purchased here: https://gwenlastergameboard.bandcamp.com/album/blue-lotus
...new music from me is on the way (release dateTBA)
...check back for more updates and announcements.
..thank you for your continued support!