Shamalamacord CD release show in Altadena Jan. 29

Bob Stane presents Shamalamacord, accordion and shamisen duo at the Coffee Gallery Backstage! CD release show!

When: Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011. 2:00 P.M.
Where: Coffee Gallery Backstage.
2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena, CA 91001
Cost: $15

This very special performance will also feature the ultra-rare vacuum cleaner powered Console Accordion! Copies of their self titled CD will be available at the concert.

Shamalamacord is Mike Penny on Tsugaru Shamisen and Aaron Seeman (Duckmandu) on Accordion. They formed an essential element of the acclaimed Gypsy band, “Fishtank Ensemble.” Shamalamacord draws from a wide range of styles, including Balkan Gypsy music, Classical, Klezmer, 1920’s Jazz, traditional and popular Japanese Music, and original compositions. As a duo and as solo players they are each actively engaged in extending the capabilities of their instruments.

The Tsugaru shamisen is the most powerful sounding and popular of the three major types of shamisen, the Tsugaru style comes from Northern Japan. It has enjoyed a resurgence among young people in the last twenty years in Japan, and is therefore a tradition very much alive.

Members

Mike Penny: Within two years of picking up the instrument, he competed in the annual Kanagi Tsugaru Shamisen competition in Northern Japan and received the "nyuusho" or "runner-up" award in his class out of a field of 200, an honor never before bestowed on a non-Japanese player. He also plays in the Tsugaru Shamisen trio, Monsters of Shamisen.

Aaron Seeman: Also performs solo as Duckmandu, he holds a B.A. in Piano and a Masters in Composition from UC Santa Cruz. As Duckmandu, he has produced three CDs using accordion and voice to produce renditions of Punk Rock, Mainstream Rock which evoke to an astonishing degree the original music. Also as Duckmandu he recorded a solo CD of more traditional material. Aaron also performs regularly in the Polka band Polkacide and in the Klezmer group the Red Hot Chachkas.

For more information about Shamalamcord, please visit www.shamalamacord.com

For more information about this event, please visit www.coffeegallery.com