International Bands

Baquette Quartet

The Baguette Quartette is a San Francisco Bay Area group that plays music that was heard in Paris between 1920 and 1940 on street corners, in cafes, and in popular dance halls. Led by accordionist Odile Lavault, its repertoire consists of valses musettes, tangos, pasos dobles, fox trots, marches and realistic songs. They have recorded three CDs: "L'air de Paris" (1995), "RENDEZ-VOUS" (1998), and "CHEZ MOI" (2001) which was nominated for an Indie Award by the Association for Independent Music. Their also are featured in the Pixar/Disney animated feature Monsters, Inc.

Bob Culbertson

Bob has become one of the most influential touch soloists today. His latest7 recordings all solo CDs are recorded live without the use of effects, except a small ambient use of reverb. His recordings have been described as "the sound of the Stick in its purest form."
The Stick, invented by Emmett Chapman is designed to be played by using both hands to tap the strings on the fretboard. The musician can play several parts at the same time in the manner of a pianist. The player has full contact with the strings giving the artist endless access to musical expression. It is these virtues of the instrument Bob has spent over 30 years cultivating. With the Stick Bob creates a combination ofexpression, technique and musical emotion like nothingheard before.

Cerro Negro

Spanish guitars, blended with Latin percussion, create the gypsy-influenced, acoustic sound of Cerro Negro. While enjoying the fusion of Flamenco, Brazilian, and Jazz guitar techniques with Latin, Africa, and Middle-Eastern percussion, Cerro Negro’s music soars with passionate vocals embracing a village of rhythms, styles, and Languages. Cerro Negro creates their own unique synergy by combining sounds from the roots of Flamenco music with cutting-edge instrumentation and orchestration. In the past 6 years, Cerro Negro has performed throughout the United States from Boston to Hawaii, and in a myriad of different venues ranging from cultural centers and Universities, to regional festivals and concert halls. Cerro Negro’s passionate sound transcends generations and appeals to a wide variety of musical tastes because of its coupling of unique guitar techniques, exotic percussion and emotional vocals.

David Correa and Cascada

Based in Sonoma County, David Correa and Cascada have been performing throughout the west coast from Arizona to Vancouver BC since 1998. David's music is passionate, exotic and definitely energetic with hints of Flamenco, Afro-Cubano, Latin-folk and middle eastern melodies. With soulful sounds and stirring rhythms, his music is truly captivating.

Hot Frittatas

The Hot Frittatas is Northern California’s newest ensemble for European musette style dance music. A trio of accordion, mandolin/fiddle, and guitar, they have appeared the last four years at the Santa Rosa Festa Italiana, sponsored by the Northern California Italian American Cultural Association. They have also played at the popular Cotati Accordion Festival and the Sonoma County Harvest Fair, as well as numerous wineries and fine restaurants, such as Chez Panisse in Berkeley and Pasta Bella in Sebastopol. In addition to the traditional Ballo Liscio style of Italian music, they are equally adept at French café music, Klezmer, Latin American tango and choro music. With just a little encouragement, they can easily launch into Cajun and Zydeco styles as well. Their first CD, Caffe Liscio, was released in April, 2001 and is now in it's second printing.

Incendio

Incendio in both Italian and Spanish means "fire" and this moniker is fitting for a musical group whose sound is all about energy, exploration, and passion. At the heart of Incendio's sound is the Latin or Spanish guitar which can conjure up romantic as well as powerful and bold images. The core group, made up of Jim Stubblefield (guitar), Jean-Pierre Durand (guitar/guitar synthesizer), Liza Carbe' (bass), Joe Shotwell (drums/percussion) and Nicole Falzone (drums/percussion) refers to their music as "Latin Guitar World Fusion" which yields to the listener a strong mix of songcraft and improvisation couched in a variety of musical contexts.The music of Incendio is not solely flamenco, classical, Middle-Eastern, Celtic, jazz, rock, trance or pop, but an amalgamation of all of the above. By showcasing the timeless sound of the Spanish guitar in a variety of settings, Incendio takes the listener on a global musical experience while continuing to break new ground.

Light Rain

The musicians of Light Rain are considered pioneers of what has come to be known as “New Age” & “World Beat” music. Their four albums feature Doug Adamz’ violin as it weaves sensuous melodies over Arabian rhythms. Light Rain often presents enchanting belly dancers in their live performances.
They have recorded four internationally known albums; Dream Dancer, Dark Fire, Dream Suite and Valentine to Eden. Their music is used by the Joffrey Ballet, The Aspen/Santa Fe Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet, The Oakland Ballet and recently in a movie by Robert Altmann called ‘The Company. The Kronos Quartet are guest artists on Light Rain’s album; Dream Suite.
Mysterious and romantic, Light Rain’s music sings to the gypsy in each of our souls. With their unique hybrid of Arabic and American musical sensibilities, they have indeed made a niche of their own in this diverse musical world we live in.

The Murasaki Ensemble

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, The Murasaki Ensemble blend acoustic instruments from around the globe to create a musical experience unlike any other -- elements of traditional Japanese music, Near Eastern rhythms and improvisational jazz converge, producing a sound that is extremely vibrant and innovative yet still manages to sound familiar. The Ensemble's sound is built upon excellent musicianship and a unique ability to combine traditional instruments in exciting ways. Intricate Near Eastern Percussion fuses with the jazzy sounds of upright bass and acoustic guitar, providing a framework for the group's musical explorations while koto and flute add texture, punctuating the rhythm with enticing melodies. Blending old with new and East with West, the Ensemble strive to present a new listening experience -- exploring traditions of the past with an ear towards the possibilities of the future

Pan Extasy

Hailing from The Caribbean, Ashton & PAN EXTASY has enjoyed continued success since its inception. They have performed throughout the USA as well as in many Asian locations, including Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and Dubai. They have built a reputation as one of the most enthusiastic, energetic and entertaining bands on the International dance circuit. They perform a wide variety of Caribbean music, Reggae, Soca, and Calypso that is accessible across all age groups and musical tastes.
These five seasoned musicians combine their talents to provide great music and entertainment. Their sound is fresh and exciting enhanced with a touch of steel drum, keyboard's, guitar, bass and drums along with superior vocals that keeps their public coming back for more!
They combine outstanding showmanship with charm and talent which inevitably energizes audiences everywhere they perform. Ashton Craig, Leader and steel drum virtuoso insures a stellar performance and has always aimed to please.

The Red Hot Chachkas

Tango Number 9

In 1998, Clubfoot Orchestra veteran Catharine Clune dreamt of a new project—exploration into the work of Astor Piazzolla. Nine years and three albums later, Tango No. 9 has evolved into a critically acclaimed ensemble performing at milongas, festivals, concert halls, and clubs across the Western U.S. With its unique instrumentation of violin, trombone, piano, and accordion/bandoneon, Tango No. 9 embraces both a reverence to tango’s seductive past and an innovative vision of the music’s storied future.