Thursday, October 18, 2012 8–9 p.m.

Location: Culver Center of the Arts, 3834 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501 Category: Concert Description:

Revered Crete-based composer-performers Ross Daly and Kelly Thoma of Labyrinth join the exploratory string duo Teslim (Kaila Flexer and Gari Hegedus) in a mesmerizing evening of instrumental music inspired by the modes and odes of Greece, the world’s most ancient and fertile cultural crossroads. The quartet displays astonishing skill at presenting instrumental songs wrung through impossibly complicated rhythms rooted in the musical traditions of the Mediterranean and Near East. A pantheon of ethnic string instruments including the oud, saz, laouto, baglama, bulgari, divan, cura, violin, viola, and lyra will guide listeners on a journey deep into the stirring repertoire of Greek, Turkish and Sephardic music.

Free. Seating is limited and arriving early is recommended. Doors open at 7:00 pm.

Artists

Kaila Flexer Kaila Flexer is a violinist, composer and music educator. In addition to performing and recording with Teslim, Flexer also performs with Persian vocalist Hamed Nikpay. Flexer founded and produced Klezmer Mania!, a much-loved annual Bay Area event for over 10 years (1989-2002). She has been at the helm of bands such as Third Ear, Next Village and Kaila Flexer’s Fieldharmonik, ensembles that feature her original material. As a composer, her work reflects her deep respect for folk music as well as her ability to forge new musical landscapes fertilized by traditional music. She has performed both nationally internationally with her own ensembles as well as with groups including The Hollis Taylor-Kaila Flexer Duo, The Flexer-Marshall Duo, Club Foot Orchestra and KITKA Women’s Vocal Ensemble. In addition to the new Teslim release, Kaila has recorded two CD’s of original music for Compass Records (Nashville) to critical acclaim.

Gari Hegedus Gari Hegedus plays violin and viola and variety of stringed instruments from Greece and Turkey including lauoto, oud, saz and hand drums. In addition to playing in the duo Teslim with violinist Kaila Flexer, he performs with world music group Stellamara and Persian vocalist Hamed Nikpay. He has studied with oud master Naseer Shamma and has recorded and performed with Ross Daly. He has toured with the Mevlevi Dervish (Sufi) Order of America and continues to participate in Turkish ceremonial and devotional gatherings around the

Ross Daly After many years of intensive training in a variety of musical traditions, Ross Daly has turned his attention largely to "contemporary modal composition," drawing heavily on all of the knowledge which he acquired during his long apprenticeships with musicians he has encountered while traveling and living internationally. With mentors ranging from Greek, Kurdish and Afghan folk players to international musical icons like Ravi Shankar, Daly has cultivated a refined and prolific artistic voice, informed and inspired by the musical languages of the world.

Kelly Thoma Born in Pireaus, Kelly Thoma has been studying the lyra with Ross Daly since 1995. Since 1998, she has toured with Daly and various configurations of his Labyrinth group, participating in concerts in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the USA. As a core member of Labyrinth, She has taken part in many projects with musicians representing different traditions from around the globe. Kelly also performs with the string quartet TOKSO. Anamkhara, her first album featuring her original compositions, was released in 2009 by Seistron Music.