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Muruga
Funk / Jazz / Jam Band

Rest in peace Merl Saunders. :(



Ann Arbor, Michigan
United States

Profile Views:  16068




Last Login:  2/6/2009
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   Muruga: General Info
Member Since7/26/2005
Band Websitewww.murugabooker.com
Record LabelUnknown Indie
Type of LabelIndie


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Muruga's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

The passing of a good friend and music great Merl Saunders.  (view more)

muruga concert and feb 24  (view more)

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   About Muruga


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About Muruga


Muruga was born Steven Bookvich in Detroit, Michigan on December 27th, 1942. His father Melvin Bookvich was a shoe maker who played accordion. Muruga first played the accordion before taking up drums as a pre-teen. Muruga studied drums under a Russian music teacher Misha Bischoff.

Muruga first professionally played drums with "The Low Rocks" in Detroit as Steve Booker. Under that name he achieved fame locally playing with not only "The Low Rocks," but the "Thunder Rocks," Ted Lucas and The Spike Drivers, and was renown for his long, driving drum solo's. He was on the same bill at venues like Detroit's Eastown Theatre and Grande Ballroom as Ted Nugent(2/23/70), Traffic(6/5/70 & 6/6/70), Jack Bruce(2/13/70 & 2/14/70) and others.

Through the 60's ,Steve Booker recorded with Jim and Jean ..s" 1964, & "People World" 1966, The Paul Winter Consort's "Something in the Wind," and played drums at the original Woodstock Festival with Tim Hardin.

At Woodstock Steve Booker met Swami Satchidananda who gave him the name Muruga. After Woodstock Muruga studied under Swami Satchidananda and also recorded on a 1969 meditation record with him.

Through the 1970's Muruga recorded with Darius Brubeck, Gunter Hampel, Al Kooper, Ursa Major, and Weather Report on "Sweet Nighter" 1973.

In the the late 70' and early 80's Muruga lived in New York and played with David Peel on "King of Punk" and "Death to Disco." In 1980 Muruga moved back to Detroit where he connected with funk legend George Clinton.



Muruga's band, Muruga and the Soda Jerks, were produced by George Clinton and he also recorded with George Clinton, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, and the P-Funk All Stars on such records as "Computer Games", "You Shouldnt-Nuf Bit Fish", "The Electric Spanking of War Babies", "Godmama", and "Smell My Finger" to name a few.

Mid 1985 Muruga moved to Oakland California where he formed the band Muruga UFM which recorded "Terroristic Activities" 1990, and "Rock the Planet" 1993. Big Brother and the Holding Company guitarist James Gurley also played with Muruga UFM. It was during the early 90s that Muruga, Prem Das and others recorded the long selling "Journey of the Drums." It was a pioneering drum album. As well, during that time, Muruga urged Merl Saunders to record "Blues from the Rain Forest." Jerry Garcia came in and played on that Grammy nominated album. Muruga recorded on the Merl Saunders & The Rainforest Band's live CD "Save the Planet So We'll Have Some Place to Boogy" (1992) and "Fiesta Amazonica" (1998) as well as with Babatunde Olatunji and Sikiru on the CD "Cosmic Rhythm Vibrations" 1993 that was later remixed and distributed on Chesky records as "Circle of Drums" 2005.



Muruga continued to work with George Clinton and would play with the P-Funk whenever they performed in California and he recorded on George Clinton's "Smell My Finger" and The P-Funk All Stars' "Dope Dogs."

Muruga moved back to the Detroit area by 2000 and currently lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since moving back to Michigan, Muruga has formed the band Muruga and The Global Village Ceremonial Band, which released the CD "One Global Village" featuring P-Funk vocalist Belita Woods and jazz clarinetist Perry Robinson . Muruga and The Global Village Ceremonial Band also played at several festivals including The Starwood Festival, Spirit Drum, Rhythm Fest 1 with Mickey Hart, Rhythm Fest 2 with Airto Moreira.

In 2004 Muruga formed the band Free Funk who most recently opened up for George Clinton and the P-Funk in Columbus Ohio at the Newport and played Rhythm Fest 3 at Nelson Ledges Query Park on the same bill as Moe, Mickey Harte, and George Clinton and P-Funk. Free Funk released a self titled color vinyl lp in 2005 on Qbico Records and are currently getting ready to release their latest CD "OrthoFunkOlogy" featuring tabla legend Badal Roy in early 2009.

View MURUGA  FREE FUNK's Sonicbids EPK
View MURUGA  FREE FUNK's EPK

   Muruga's Friend Space (Top 15)
Muruga has 602 friends.
 Free Funk 


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 scottyG 


 William C. Leikam 


 Swami Satchidananda 


 Bootsy 


 Steve Kimock 


 Buzzy Linhart 


 K-OS P-Funk 


 Gina 


 SUN RA 


 Norm Ballinger 





Muruga's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 173 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Thompkins Marketing LLC

Thompkins Marketing LLC



Nov 6 2009 5:35 AM






Medicine Road

Medicine Road



Oct 23 2009 2:51 PM




Old Dave

Old Dave



Oct 8 2009 12:12 AM

Motown Rocker™

Motown Rocker



Sep 24 2009 7:43 AM

Benefit for my Dad on September 27, 2009
Hi Everyone,
My Father Peter Aguayo passed away on Tuesday 9-8-2009.
He was a Steelworker for 30 years. The company he worked for went Bankrupt and they took his Life Insurance and Medical as well.
I am trying to raise enough money to give him a proper burial.
Please find it in your heart to come out to the Benefit, he so deserves it.
There will be 5-6 AWESOME bands.
The bands that are already booked for the show are: The Midnight Rendezvous, StellarDrive & Bazooka Jones.
Special Guests: Charlie Allen Martin (Bob Seger) & Psychild - Robert Noll, Tyuawn Brown (A Michael Jackson Impersonator) and Bruce Race (Charlie Chaplin Impersonator).
Location is:
Scott Lake Banquet Center (Located inside the Waterford Elks)
2100 Scott Lake Road.
Waterford, MI 48328
Admission is $20.00
Benefit will start at 2pm and will end at 10pm, or later.
50/50 Raffle
Door Prizes
Cash Bar & Food
Auction Items
The Benefit will also be filmed by Comcast for my friend Big L's The Music Room TV Show.
This will be a great time and it's for a great cause.
I am also trying to raise awareness to the retiree's that they should not assume that they are taken care of, this is happening to people every day. It has been devestating due to the company's Bankruptcy, my Father hasn't been buried yet.
Hope to see you there.
More info to follow as it becomes available.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Help us Honor our Dad, he was a son, a husband and a wonderful Human Being.
God Bless
Jer & Angel

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XXX Car Ride (REMIXED EP OUT NOW)

XXX Car Ride (REMIXED EP OUT NOW)



Sep 23 2009 5:37 PM

Muruga Glad to have you as a friend heres 6 songs Available on itunes ! The new Extended Ep available only at www.fixtstore.com/product/4216/XXX-Car-Ride---The-Wait-Is-Over-EP-(Extended-EP)-(MP3-Album)


XXX%20Car%20RideQuantcast
robert j poole iv

robert poole



Sep 2 2009 4:02 PM


Check out my page
http://www.doulike.us/photos/6097727.html?b=4&w=46




Let me know if you like me YES or NO
http://www.doulike.us/photos/6097727.html?b=4&w=46

Bottom Feeders

Bottom Feeders



Jul 23 2009 1:38 PM

We will be at The Red Dog Saloon in Milford, MI this Friday & Saturday. If you are in the area we would love to see you there!

Bottom Feeders "The Liquor Store" now available at these fine stores.

CDBaby - They ship the physical CD

iTunes - Digital Download

Rhapsody - Digital Download

Napster - Digital Download

Amazon mp3 store - Digital Download

GroupieTunes - Ring Tones

Lala - Digital Download

Amie Street - Digital Download
Bottom Feeders

Bottom Feeders



Jun 11 2009 11:03 PM

If You Are In The Area - We Need You!


Saturday June 20th at The Outer Limits we are playing one night only and will be shooting 3 camera angles for our upcoming video for "Whole Lotta Waitress".


Not only do we need to make sure this bar is wall to wall packed for the good of the video, but also to show the owners that we can pack their club.


Click the link above for directions to the bar via google maps.
The Outer Limits is located at:

8095 N. State Rd.

Davison, MI

We appreciate it very much!

Free Ejxtra Alejxis Ejxess Downloads

Free Ejxtra Alejxis Ejxess Downloads



Mar 14 2009 2:06 AM

Whack is the tack.
Luv your funk- ( :-jx)
Motown Rocker™

Motown Rocker



Feb 13 2009 4:15 PM

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Old Dave

Old Dave



Feb 1 2009 6:04 AM

Kirk

Kirk



Jan 29 2009 9:54 PM

Muruga:
Thank you for the add!
May we live long and perspire!
Best Wishes from me and Gracie, my kitty!
K.
The Meaning of Louie

The Meaning of Louie



Jan 20 2009 9:31 AM

At last!

Brian

Brian Fahn



Jan 15 2009 8:58 PM

This comment was sent by your friend via the Green Planet app.
To block this app and all communications from it, click Here.



-------------------------------------------
Hey Muruga, I am sending you a gift.
Could you please accept it.


Click on the gift box you think Brian sent!

Brian

Brian Fahn



Jan 13 2009 4:59 PM

This comment was sent by your friend via the Green Planet app.
To block this app and all communications from it, click Here.



-------------------------------------------
Hey Muruga, I am sending you a gift.
Could you please accept it.


Click on the gift box you think Brian sent!

Bad Bob

Bad Bob



Jan 10 2009 8:47 PM

This comment was sent by your friend via the Causes app.
To block this app and all communications from it, click Here.



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Wiccan Freedom

Come join my cause: Wiccan Freedom! You will be able to recruit friends, raise money, and add a profile badge to show your support! Join_cause_button_260x52

Brian

Brian Fahn



Jan 7 2009 4:35 AM

This comment was sent by your friend via the Green Planet app.
To block this app and all communications from it, click Here.



-------------------------------------------
Hey Muruga, I am sending you a gift.
Could you please accept it.


Click on the gift box you think Brian sent!

Howard Glazer and the EL 34s

Howard Glazer and the EL 34s



Dec 27 2008 11:08 PM

Happy Holidays!!
IOt was GREAT to jam with you at Ralph's party!!
peace
Howard
Free Ejxtra Alejxis Ejxess Downloads

Free Ejxtra Alejxis Ejxess Downloads



Dec 27 2008 12:39 PM

Many happy returns for you

from the pneu virtual...xxx
The Meaning of Louie

The Meaning of Louie



Dec 26 2008 10:42 PM

EVERY day is a reason to celebrate, but make sure December 27 gets special attention, ok?

cheers,

E.P.
LouieLouie. net

Holiday Greeting card 2008 from Eric Predoehl
Danny Bedrosian & SECRET ARMY

Danny Bedrosian & SECRET ARMY



Dec 18 2008 9:06 PM

Danny Bedrosian & Secret Army wants to welcome you to our new social network!


You can promote your music on this network


JUST RELEASED!

NEW SOCIAL NETWORK!



WEFUNK SOUTH




COME AND JOIN!


The Congo Square Project Foundation

The Congo Square Project Foundation



Dec 18 2008 3:39 AM

WE HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED FOUR ALBUMS FOR OUR FOUNDATION TO HELP THE NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS IN NEED FEATURING LOUIE BELLSON, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, EARL PALMER, HUBERT SUMLIN, LEVON HELM, DR. LONNIE SMITH, JIMMY COBB, CHUCK E. WEISS, JAVON JACKSON, CLEM BURKE, LARRY CAMPBELL, AIRTO MOREIRA, COUGAR & RUBEN ESTRADA, WASHBOARD CHAZ, MIKE WATT, STEVE JORDAN, DANNY 'KOOTCH' KORTCHMAR, JOHN BOUDREAUX, JAMES GADSON, TANMOY BOSE, CLIVE BUNKER, IRA COLEMAN, PETER ERSKINE, JERRY JUMONVILLE, PETE LOCKETT, SANTA DAVIS, JOHNNY VIDACOVICH, SAM CARR, BILL BRUFORD, KEITH CARLOCK, STANTON MOORE, SOUHAIL KASPAR, AFRICAN MUSICIANS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, GOSPEL CHOIRS, CLASSICAL ENSEMBLES, TAP DANCING, LATIN ENSEMBLES, MARDI GRASS INDIANS, STREET MUSICIANS, DJ RE-MIXES, ETC. . . Currently looking for the right record company to release these wonderful gems.
Please, help us support thee cradle of modern music!!! Regards, Fabian Jolivet
Kelly

Kelly



Dec 17 2008 5:02 PM

Hey Uncle Muruga,

Just wanted to drop in and say hello :) Love and miss you!
Me Spayce

Me Spayce



Nov 27 2008 9:58 PM

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FrankieJ

Frank Jensen



Nov 27 2008 5:10 PM

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