**************************************************************
Percussionist Ali Soltanshahi is a citizen of the world; born in Tehran, Iran in a music loving family; raised in Strasbourg, France, and educated in St. Louis, MO (USA) where he resides, Ali founded G i n k g o * B i l o b a * World * Music (www.myspace.com/gb4world) in 2005 to promote cross-cultural awareness through music as music is truly an international language that knows no frontier.
Blessed with many international friends, Ali has always been exposed to different cultures and therefore has developed a sensitivity and appreciation for DIVERSITY. The interactions with the citizens of the world have stimulated his appetite for the MUSIC OF THE WORLD specifically ethnic percussion instruments.
Ali enjoys playing the Cajon (Spanish Box Drum), Doumbek (Middle-Eastern drum), Udu drum (Clay Pot), Congas/bongos (Latin Percussion), and the Tombak (or Zarb, Persian goblet drum) and brings a solid groove and coloration to the ensemble.
Over the years, Ali has played with several world music groups such as "Acoustic Internote", "Farshid Etniko" and "Autumn's Child". He has recorded with "Group Mediteraneo", "Farshid Etniko", "Sandy Weltman & the Klezmer Nuthouse", "Beth Tuttle", and "Autumn's Child". Ali regularly performs with "Autumn’s Child" featuring Native American flutist Mark Holland.
**************************************************************
Complex rhythms, tasteful solos, and catchy melody lines define Aaron Burlbaw’s gracious personality on the lead guitar. His dedication to music has allowed him to travel the world without leaving the United States.
Aaron supports "Ginkgo" by arranging music and organizing recordings. He uses Novo-Flamenco (non-traditional flamenco) techniques on a nylon-stringed guitar.
Aaron has been performing for 7 years in the St. Louis area and has released 4 albums (including 2 DVDs) with "Dionysia". He regularly performs with a Latin jazz group he founded with Paul Quinn called "Menache" and with "Farshid Etniko".
**************************************************************
Vocalist Megan Rooney, born and raised in St. Louis, has been singing for the past 8 years with various groups in Columbia MO, Austin TX, and most recently St. Louis. After finishing her Master’s degree in Behavioral Health, Megan decided to focus her efforts on music, as a performer and recording artist. She is currently writing and recording original material while singing live with "Ginkgo Biloba". Megan began singing with "Ginkgo" after hearing them play in early 2006. A long time lover of Latin style music, including bossanova, salsa, and samba, she found the music captivating and is elated to be playing with this talented (and handsome) group of musicians!
**************************************************************
With a nylon-string classical guitar, Paul Quinn supports Ginkgo by setting a layer of melodic background around Ali's percussive groove.
Paul was born in Fenton, MO and started playing the guitar at the age of 15. While earning a degree in engineering, he studied music under Duke Michalak and greatly expanded his source of musical influence working as a disc jockey at a free-format college radio station.
Paul performs regularly with "Menache" and has played bass guitar with Dionysia for the past 4 years. He has recorded two projects with "Dionysia": Mentality (2006) and Laid Back at the Sheldon (2005).
**************************************************************
Can't wait to catch a show soon! thank you for checking out my music & being my friend. hope to see you at a show soon & stay in touch. best, kevin bowers
THANKS FOR THE ADD! Please visit our MySpace page or website (www.avalontheatre.org) to learn about our next production, the world premiere, LITTLE BOSNIA.
Thanks to the effects of Ginkgo Biloba I think I have been remembered as a former/future partime semi-member of the group. Or something related to that effect. Anyhow thanks for the request, and of course I accept for all or @ least 1 of the reasons stated above. Peace, Love & Rhumba-Nova Baby, Yeah ! And I'll see you all somewhere &/or sometime in Bossa-NovaVille !! *Timothy J.
Thanks for the request G.
August 17th i am presenting my new project in L.A at Walt Disney concert Hall (L.A Philharmonic), hope to see you if you happend to be in around L.A areas that time.
peace
H.
Just stopping by to wish you a happy weekend. I'll be busy Saturday and Sunday with six HSN appearances in Florida. Thanks for being my new friend. It's an honor to have received such an incredibly warm welcome to MySpace, as well as lovely comments from so many people in my first week on MySpace. Let the music play!
