Événement

Cloudfire & Friends - presented by Global Harmony Season of Offerings

World music group Cloudfire performs with friends at Gualala Arts Center on Friday, May, 16 at 7:30 p.m.

When was the last time you heard a Middle Eastern oud, Australian didjeridu, Japanese shakuhachi flute and west African kora (a kind of harp) . . . played together? This is 21st century music from northern California, blending sounds and traditions from around the world in a new Global Harmony.

Cloudfire is a Mendocino-Sonoma coast band whose unique sound combines oud, dulcimer, saz, bansuri flute, didjeridu, and metallophone with saxophone, bass guitar and drum set. For this concert, Cloudfire again joins with friends playing kora, guimbri, shakuhachi and guitar.

The band's original music is inspired by African, Asian, Celtic and Middle Eastern rhythms and melodies, as well as American funk, folk and jazz. Their infectious and danceable grooves become mysterious and introspective as they explore non-Western modes, scales and time signatures.

The members of Cloudifre are Gretchen Barton (oud, dulcimer, saz, bansuri), Janet DeBar (didjeridu), Harrison Goldberg (saxophones), Dave Jordan (electric bass) and Leon Schneiderman (drumset, metallophone). They are joined by Johny "Qwest" Heubel (kora, tambur, flute, guimbri), Tim Mueller (electric guitar) and Karl Young (shakuhachi).

Cloudfire will release two new CDs at the concert: Cloudfire & Friends and another CD to be announced soon. For more information, visit CloudfireMusic.com.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $5 more on the day of the performance. Youth 7 to 17 are admitted free. To purchase in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.