The Space for Music – Glen Velez and John Ehlis

Amongst regions of the world where boundaries are shared and cultures mix, music has the power to bring us together.  This unifying factor is evident amongst many of our gatherings as a community, enlivening celebrations, devotions and meditations, as well as accompanying our daily routines.

Within the context of larger group settings, and alongside their original works, Ehlis and Velez have long embraced traditional music of every kind.  It is a shared interest.  As a duo, they explore music from around the Mediterranean and in proximity, often gravitating towards dance melodies from the Balkans and Bulgaria, along with compositions by Ross Daly, who specializes in the music of Crete, Greece and Turkey.

Ever inquisitive and open-minded, Ehlis and Velez are naturally attracted to this part of world, a region laden with historic civilizations and traditions.

Guitarist John Ehlis is drawn to traditional and folk music from around the world, and has performed with artists ranging from saxophonists Joseph Jarman, Oliver Lake and John Tchicai, to vocalists Marie Afonso, Loire Cotler, and Olivia Foschi, pianist/vibraphonist Karl Berger, the instrument-maker Ken Butler,  Argentine guitarists Juan Falu and Quique Sinesi, Basque musicians Kepa Junkera, Tapia & Leturria, Ghanian musician Zorkie Nelson, Danish drummer Kresten Osgood, Finnish saxophonist Mikko Innanen, and Pakistani singer Fawzia Afzal Khan.

A legendary figure amongst musicians and audiences world-wide, Glen Velez is the first percussionist to gain international recognition as a solo artist with frame drums.   A four-time Grammy Award winner, Velez’s extensive array of frame drum innovations and sounds have inspired collaborations with an epic and eclectic list of renowned artists, including Steve Reich, the Paul Winter Consort, Suzanne Vega, Maya Beiser, Tan Dun and Pat Metheny.

Velez possesses an astonishing command of world rhythms and continues to reshape the art of percussion playing while integrating techniques from South Indian, Central Asian, Arabic, Persian, Brazilian, and Italian traditions with his highly attuned musical senses and virtuosity.

– FINI –