Musical instigators Bruce Beaton and Jeff Rees have led the musical gypsy trail for this Gypsy Caravan since 1991. The musicians of Gypsy Caravan have a diverse background. Anywhere from four to nine musicians play with the band, adding more strings and percussion to fill out their intoxicating sound! The band plays with and without dancers, although their main focus is playing for Gypsy Caravan Dance Company dancers.
They have an extensive repertoire of original songs and enjoy playing at variety of performance requests, from large theatrical productions and art festivals, to smaller nightclubs and intimate celebrations.
Since 1991, Gypsy Caravan has explored many types of performance venues and experiences to showcase their thrilling and innovative shows that combine the original music and tribal bellydances of the dance company and band. Besides monthly shows at home in Portland, Oregon, they have performed and taught throughout the United States and around the globe, including shows in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Europe.
Highlights from their illustrious career include playing assorted events, both big and small.
AWAKENING BY GYPSY CARAVAN
An eclectic troupe of tribal bellydancers and musicians, a contemporary family, urban berbers, dedicated to performing Middle Eastern and North African inspired rhythms and dances.
1. Awakening 3:06
2. Moroccan Spice 4:12
3. Nubian Tusk 2:54
4. Omar 5:50
5. Basket Dance 5:10
6. Ruh 4:24
7. Dunyah Raks 4:04
8. Suite of Mirrors 11:43
9. Chase 3:30
10. Revolving Door 4:09
11. Queen of Hell 10:14
For dancers and drummers, this CD offers 12 rhythms with melodies and percussion to dance to and play along with. Mostly inspired by the music of North Africa and the Middle East, the songs are all originals. The musicians play a combination of modern instruments and traditional ones such as the dumbek, davul, tar, and djembe (percussion), the zurna, mizmar, arghul, and ney (wind), the harmonium from India and the didgeridoo from Australia.
The Gypsy Caravan is a community of dancers and musicians dedicated to maintaining ancient traditions while embracing contemporary life. A dynamic and mesmerizing live compilation. With Jeff Rees, Bruce Beaton, Peter Archer, David Rolin, John Schanck, Lila Sklar. REVIEW "'Live at Berbati' captures one of the Gypsy Caravan's performances at their 'homebase/public clubhouse, the fabulous Berbati's Pan nightclub. The music minus the dancers is highly listenable and legitimate, with their spirit always tangible vis-a-vis the constant chatter of thier finger cymbals and the trills from the dancers and audience alike...The Gypsy Caravan's Live at Berbati could be the party record of the year for the wild at heart in pagan Portland."
Sometimes powerful, sometimes haunting, these 14 songs transport listeners through a wide spectrum of emotions on an eclectic tribal journey. The musicians play a combination of traditional and modern instruments, including percussion instruments such as the dumbek, davul, tar, and conga, and wind instruments such as the zurna, mizmar, arghul, and flute. Whether you are a Tribal style dancer or not, you will love this CD.
1. Mystery 4:25
2. Procession 7:10
3. Tusk II 5:11
4. Zafiran Trance 6:31
5. Gate to the Desert 2:06
6. Allesandra 3:20
7. Pride 1:59
8. Quest 5:45
9. Pahntoon 2:14
10. T'yem 4:37
11. The Huntress 4:13
12. Hillside 2:16
13. Lamentation 7:26
14. Mystery Blue 3:31
A studio recording of 13 explosive, mesmerizing songs. With Jeff Rees, Bruce Beaton, Peter Archer, and Anthony Mansolino, Guest musicians: Doug Adams, Jeff Trott, and Victor El Agua.
1. Stick Dance 4:17
2. Gypsy Rain 5:11
3. Ou Est Ma Petite Danseuse? 4:25
4. Giza 4:37
5. Mirage 5:01
6. Dust Storm 5:17
7. Highland 6:13
8. Migration 5:15
9. St. Peter 2:50
10. The Making 6:54
11. Zeffa 7:22
12. Algerian Drum Song 4:02
13. Prayer From the Ridge 11:14
An eclectic troupe of tribal bellydancers and musicians, a contemporary family, urban berbers, dedicated to performing Middle Eastern and North African inspired rhythms and dances.
MP3 clip CD PRICE $16.00
For dancers and drummers, this CD offers 12 rhythms with melodies and percussion to dance to and play along with. Mostly inspired by the music of North Africa and the Middle East, the songs are all originals. The musicians play a combination of modern instruments and traditional ones such as the dumbek, davul, tar, and djembe (percussion), the zurna, mizmar, arghul, and ney (wind), the harmonium from India and the didgeridoo from Australia.
The Gypsy Caravan is a community of dancers and musicians dedicated to maintaining ancient traditions while embracing contemporary life. A dynamic and mesmerizing live compilation. With Jeff Rees, Bruce Beaton, Peter Archer, David Rolin, John Schanck, Lila Sklar. REVIEW "'Live at Berbati' captures one of the Gypsy Caravan's performances at their 'homebase/public clubhouse, the fabulous Berbati's Pan nightclub. The music minus the dancers is highly listenable and legitimate, with their spirit always tangible vis-a-vis the constant chatter of thier finger cymbals and the trills from the dancers and audience alike...The Gypsy Caravan's Live at Berbati could be the party record of the year for the wild at heart in pagan Portland."
Sometimes powerful, sometimes haunting, these 14 songs transport listeners through a wide spectrum of emotions on an eclectic tribal journey. The musicians play a combination of traditional and modern instruments, including percussion instruments such as the dumbek, davul, tar, and conga, and wind instruments such as the zurna, mizmar, arghul, and flute. Whether you are a Tribal style dancer or not, you will love this CD.
A studio recording of 13 explosive, mesmerizing songs. With Jeff Rees, Bruce Beaton, Peter Archer, and Anthony Mansolino, Guest musicians: Doug Adams, Jeff Trott, and Victor El Agua.
