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"This is the new new music, an up-to-date
message from jazz avant garde; the music is alive and well, and Earth
People is one of its strongest contributors."
- Florence Wetzel (All About Jazz NY) 1/04
Earth People Biography
In March 2001, a group of multi-talented musicians
and friends premiered Waking the Living, a television broadcast
performance, and the free-form music group Earth People was born. Deeply
rooted in almost every major musical tradition, ancient and modern,
the members of Earth People have combined to form the vanguard of the
modern avant-garde.
Earth People's music constantly evolves,
taking a new form and direction with every "cosmic offering." They
have been dubbed "local legends" in
New York City, and All About Jazz New York has praised their
latest release, Now Is Rising; "What a CD! ... In this era
of war and strife, Earth People stands as a shining example of the
beauty and harmony human beings are capable of creating." Sky
Readers, their
last release was described as "a full throttle adventure ... the new new
music, an up-to-date message from jazz avant-garde: the music is alive
and well, and Earth People is one of its strongest contributors." Musical
boundaries are crossed with unprejudiced ease: Jazz, Funk, World
Music, Rock, Electronic, Free, Classical and the unclassifiable.
At
the core of Earth People is André Martinez (former Cecil
Taylor collaborator on drums and percussion), Doug Principato (guitars,
vocals & synthesizers) and Jason Candler (saxophones and guitar). These
three musicians are the chief composers, arrangers and administrators
for the group. Like the planet from which they
take their name, Earth People's core is surrounded by the hot magma
of three main players ... Sabir
Mateen on multi-reeds, Francóis Grillot on contra-bass, and
Mark Hennen on grand piano and synthesizers. Elliott Levin (saxophone,
flute, & poetry), Karen
Borca (bassoon), M (vocals and incantations) and DJ Firehorse (electronics)
have also been major contributors.
Calm feelings and mutual admiration
prevail among the group. An
atmosphere of trust and artistic freedom allows members to travel with
the spirit of the music and create a sound that is pure of heart and
truly adventurous.
Most compositions begin with
preconceived themes that are merely seeds. Rehearsed
among the core members, pieces are then presented to the band, who
telepathically take it to the next level. "Everyone gets a chance
to shine as different combinations of players weave their wares, ascending
and submerging." The final product often leaves the players themselves
astonished and wondering, "Is this what it's like to participate in
a Santeria or Voodoo ceremony? Perhaps like the initiates in
a ritual rite, seemingly oblivious to the phenomena that overcome them
... when
the Gods descend upon them." Salvador Dali stated what
became Earth People's motto, "If you understand your painting before
hand, you might as well not paint it."
On many occasions Earth People has invited musicians who share their
talent and their spirit to contribute, layer by layer, to an ever expanding
musical vision. Fellow travelers on this journey have included
Gunter Hampel, Roy Campbell, Rashid Bakr, Raphe Malik, Rosie Hertlein,
Kali Fasteau, Daniel Carter, Matt Lavelle, Ricardo Solis, Dan Gaydos
and Gary Miles.
Earth People continue to create a truly
authentic voice, breaking new ground with each project. An organic
metamorphosis occurs with every composition, imbued with a touch of
the sacred. Earth People
plays music that is inspirational and timeless, capturing the soul of
the moment and the spirit of all people, young and old.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world.
Indeed it is the only thing ever has." - Margaret Mead
CTRL-click here to download a PDF copy of the Earth People biography.
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