Cultural Fusion Interviews

"A god can do it. But will you tell me how a man can penetrate through the lyre's strings?" Ranier Maria Rilke

I have had the opportunity to participate in Yvette Dubel's Cultural Fusion BlogTalkRadio Internet show during the past few months. Here are the three interviews/panel discussions I have done.



Blessings,

Eduardo Martinez

What participants are saying about The Sound Gathering sound & drum circles...

“This sound circle is far more than simply beating a drum. It is beating the rhythm of our humanity & common core in all. I enjoy your easy nature; you seem to really be attuned to the participants’ needs, open to questions as well as great sharing of your knowledge. I am getting those good vibrations. I enjoyed the deep connection with all in the circle, a great uplift from cellular buzz to laughter, the clearing & inviting rhythms turning into something else, & learning about toning.” Jan G., Amherst, NH USA

“Fabulous learning opportunity, Eduardo. I couldn’t be happier to have met you & played with you. I learned new beats I then have used at home in ritual. I feel so balanced & peaceful afterwards, more my true self as I go back into the world. Thanks for sharing your gifts & wisdom. I enjoyed toning, singing each other’s names & the Heart Beat [sequence]. You are poised, have a great sense of humor, a wealth of knowledge, are kind & generous. You’ve got a fan :-)” Deborah Fay D’Onofrio, past coordinator of the Full Moon Drum Circle at the UU Church in North Andover, MA USA

“I enjoyed the free drumming time after the rhythm is set. You have a calmness, presence & offer clear explanations.” Stephanie Rutt, owner of Tree of Life Interfaith Fellowship, Amherst, NH USA, one of our current circle locations.

“I felt peaceful, calm, & [a sense of] releasing. I enjoy the music, the drumming, the singing, the way you vary what we do, your knowledge, talent, the way we are all participants & share with one another. Thank you! I love coming to our sound & drum circle.” Clare S., Amherst, NH USA

“The space between my cells expanded & felt cleansed. [I enjoyed] allowing my body to just “be.” I enjoyed your gentle guidance & the healing power of the circle.” Barbara T., Amherst, NH USA

“The drum circle helped me out mentally & emotionally. It seemed to be very therapeutic once I figured out the rhythm. I loved it when we went from the basic rhythm to improvising. I really enjoyed all aspects of tonight’s circle, how you conducted the circle by the subtle leading of the tempo & beat, incorporating little lessons on how to use your hands on the drum.” Bailey W., Amherst, NH USA

“I was excited to participate. I find drumming to be fun, calming & relaxing. You are kind, warm, friendly, accepting.” Elaina, Derry, NH USA

“I love drumming & definitely benefited emotionally, physically (quite the workout) & mentally as it helps energize me. [I enjoyed] the rhythm; it speaks to my soul. I find balance & peace in this sound circle. You are open, accepting, a great teacher, easy to follow, non-judgmental.” Diane C., Derry, NH USA

“I enjoyed the brief explanation of the origins & meaning of the beats. The sound circle was very well done. I loved how you encourage participants to be creative. I’d like to learn & experience more! The sound circle was very relaxing & certainly had a calming effect.” Michelle M., Derry, NH USA

“You have a gentle & spiritual energy. I felt free to drum… This sound circle was very grounding. Perfecto!” Carol T., North Andover, MA USA

“My heart beat was lowered; my mind/thoughts quieted… I enjoyed your guidance using rhythms in the first hour. I enjoyed the sound circle because of the resonance of the energy, the places the sounds touch in me…” Carole L., North Andover, MA USA

“I enjoyed dancing. Nice social interaction doing group things. You are very gentle & personable. I enjoyed the singing of each other’s names, the back massage, the vocal parts… Nice variety of activities.” Sherry L., North Andover, MA USA

“[The sound circle’s] variety was great. As a novice I need exposure to lots of ideas & techniques to grow. Loved the gentle Heart Beat, the contemplative feelings & sounds…” [Eduardo] is gentle, knowledgeable, spiritual & patient. I loved combining spiritual expression & vocalizing with learning drumming techniques. Chanting our names was very moving & opening.” Denise V., North Andover, MA USA

“I enjoyed the physical release: wrist pain, gnawing in my stomach, knee pain, were tonight specifically relieved. I also enjoyed the laughter, the instruction, plus the attitude “that it’s all good,” open & safe for all to experience. I enjoy your personality, ease, feeling of comfort, professionalism & knowledge. I am glad that the circle is free range & easy to blend in without feeling as though anything is wrong. Very comfortable [sound circle], no pressure, fun & informational as well as experiential.” Amy W., Amherst, NH USA

“I have relaxed with the gatherings. I enjoy both the drumming & toning, & your ability to adjust with each situation in the group. I have really enjoyed it & learned a lot being in the circle. And feel it is very healing. This circle is amazing. I am glad I have been a part of it.” Victoria A., Amherst, NH USA

“Love it when rhythm connects us all. All was clear & nicely guided. ” Szerja S., Amherst, NH USA

“It felt wonderful to be drumming. You are very friendly & easy going.” Mary D., Amherst, NH USA

“I de-stressed, warmed up, relaxed & felt my energy raising. [I enjoyed] the free drumming & the relaxing post massage. You have an informative but relaxed manner. I’ve enjoyed your circles very much. For me they are more grounded & comfortable.” Susan H., North Andover, MA USA

“Emotionally the circle was very uplifting. Great energy to share. I loved the energy of being a part of this circle.” Cindy H., Amherst, NH USA

“[I enjoyed the] connection with spirit.” Dana G., Amherst, NH USA

“[The sound circle] was fun.” Gerry M., Derry, NH USA

“I enjoyed the healing, the feeling of peace & your calm nature.” J. R., North Andover, MA USA

“The sound circle made me focus. I enjoyed [Eduardo’s] knowledge of the background of music.” Bob F., Amherst, NH USA

“I feel more grounded & I do love to drum… It makes me happy... I enjoyed listening to your beautiful voice & learning new sound healing modalities.” Pam, Amherst, NH USA

La Vida Latina Cambridge, MA CCTV Interview

"Deje el mundo cambiarle y usted puede cambiar el mundo." ("Let the world change you & you can change the world.") Ernesto "Che" Guevara ...

I had the wonderful opportunity to be interviewed for the Cambridge Community Cable TV program La Vida Latina, by my good friends Karin Koch & Irene Bosch. The program is in Spanish, as its target audience in the Boston, MA area.

The program covers sound & music in general, as tools for relaxation & creativity. I also speak & demonstrate the work I do with The Sound Gathering (TM), sound & drum circles in the local communities.

Enjoy!

Eduardo Martinez



For a larger screen version of this interview, please visit My blip.tv channel.

(Added 9/16/09) Also, here is the short promo trailer for the same show:


For a larger screen version of this interview, please visit My blip.tv channel.

Music & Social Justice: Let Peace Expand CD

"As musicians/healers, it is our destiny to conduct an inward search, & to document it with our music so that others may benefit. As they listen to the music coming through us, they too are inspired to look within. Light is being transmitted & received from soul to soul..." pp. 13, from Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within, by Kenny Werner

I highly recommend a CD I have been listening to lately, called 'Let Peace Expand.' It is the beautiful work/play of two friends right here in New Hampshire, USA, Lisa Murray & Cynthia Schroer. These are their own words about the CD:

"The Let Peace Expand CD grew out of a desire to contribute to the expansion of peace consciousness throughout the world. Lisa Murray began writing the songs contained on Let Peace Expand at the onset of the Iraq war with "Calling Mothers." The title song, "Let Peace Expand," emerged after hearing about grass-roots efforts to establish a U.S. Department of Peace. "Just a Little Good" was inspired after seeing Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth.

Along the way on this musical journey, Lisa teamed up with Cynthia Schroer to co-found a local "Peace Place" in New Hampshire. The Peace Place is a "start-where-you-are" peace action incubator where simple acts of peace building are discovered, encouraged, and promoted. Individuals and groups of all faiths and humanistic philosophies are welcome to use the Peace Place for personal and communal peace-making efforts, no matter how small they might appear. An example of Peace Place offerings is the monthly coffeehouses, which are hosted there to raise money through voluntary donations for various causes that support well-being around the world.

Cynthia's voice brings the songs on Let Peace Expand to life, with Lisa on acoustic piano. Cynthia views her vocal involvement with this CD as a continuation of her conscious use of voice for over twenty years to encourage others to connect with their own essence, a source of peace in the world.

The final track on the CD is simply "Peace." The hopeful words are set in a minor key, giving subtle reference to the fact that the work of peace is not always comfortable. "Peace" sums up Lisa and Cynthia's aspiration that the Let Peace Expand CD will move listeners to think, probe, heal, seek, and be inspired to create a landscape of peace within themselves, their communities, and the world.

To purchase a CD or to read more about Let Peace Expand, go to their website: Let Peace Expand.

Sound clips of the CD may be heard at:

Let Peace Expand @ CDBaby.com, where the CD may also be purchased."

Blessings,

Eduardo

The Sound Gathering Recordings

(Update 9/15/09: I have now placed an audio file player directly on this website/blog with my recordings, so you'll be able to find everything right here.)

I have now added a link to the right of this post, titled TSG Recordings @ Wellness thru Sound & Music (or click text), with past recordings made at a The Sound Gathering sound & drumming circle. Some/many of you were present during this recording in 2002, at the Illuminations bookstore, in Westford, MA, USA. I also uploaded one of my music pieces, titled "Serenity", for your enjoyment.

The Wellness through Sound & Music is part of the Healing Music Organization, & now they have this website as a social/networking site. It allows me to upload many more audio files, & much larger, than let's say MySpace, so I'll be using each for slightly different purposes. Watch out for more music postings.

Blessings,

Eduardo

World Music: A Steady Diet

Welcome to this installment of my blog. I thought to share some world music I have been listening to lately. First, what is "world music?" I believe all music is world music, as in we are all one. But the more common definition can be handy when referring to music from other parts of the world besides the United States. Well, I find inspiration pretty much everywhere, including listening to world music, both familiar & unfamiliar. The dilemma we have here is that we can be somewhat insulated sometimes, while the rest of the world is indeed singing! To that effect, I recently embarked on listening to various sources of world music, both live & prerecorded.

- National Geographic Channel's Nat Geo Music Series: I found by coincidence this world music TV program while keeping company to my recently adopted feral cat (my fourth, but that is another blog altogether, maybe ;-) very late one night. By the way, a little Animal Planet & National Geographic channel TV time has been a great way to get my feral cat, Baraka, used to both animal sounds & sounds you’d find in a home (because of the commercials). Here in New Hampshire where I live we have Comcast, & one of their cable TV channel lineups includes the National Geographic Channel. Basically, it is a series of music videos from around the world, but that you’d probably not see on MTV, or elsewhere. Some of the videos are composites of different world locations, for the ultimate armchair travel experience, that is if you can stay in your chair & not dance. Check your cable or satellite TV listings in your area. In mine the series is on for 3 hours, between 3A.M. to 6A.M., so thank you DVR :-) (Digital Video Recorder, or TiVo, if that is what you use). The whole National Geographic World Music Home webpage is full of free features, videos & audio, as well as the Nat Geo Music TV webpage. Follow this link I also found on the Nat Geo website for a very interesting idea on how to finance your next music or CD project.

- A second source of world music for me lately has been the excellent UK magazine Songlines(click on link to subscribe). Each issue includes a compilation CD with tracks from various different world musicians & CDs. Subscribing to the magazine is like buying the compilation CDs & getting the magazine for free! It is a great way to listen & then decide if/which CDs to independently buy.

And for my favorite, live music:
- The Nashua Public Library has a Bach Lunch Concert Series on Wednesdays at noon, & the Summer Concert on the Plaza Series on Thursday evenings (click here for calendar). Neither focuses exclusively on world music, even though they have plenty of it. Here I was just introduced to the fascinating & beautiful music of 35th Parallel (Mac Ritchey & Gabe Halberg), described by the Nashua Public Library website as: "Take a musical journey through the Middle East, North India, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. Gabe Halberg and Mac Ritchey play instruments ranging from the Middle Eastern oud to the Indian tabla, from tar and jaw harp to bouzouki and didgeridoo." I’d add that they play both original compositions as well as traditional songs, with a strong emphasis on hand percussion. Quite a treat. You can purchase their Green Vine or Crossing Painted Islands albums (CDs here, mp3 downloads here). Make sure you visit their informative website too, at 35th Parallel.


- Lowell Folk Festival: Free, huge, full of ethnic music, food & fun! Do I need to say anything else? ;-) This festival just passed, so mark your calendars for the last full weekend in July of 2009 for the next installment. This year highlights included the Dance Pavillion (highlighting Puerto Plata, 85 years young! & his latin music group), with its various dance music acts, Balla Kouyaté (virtuoso player of an ancient instrument called the balafon, the West African ancestor of the marimba, the xylophone, the vibes, and a host of related instruments), Helder Moutinho (Portuguese fado male singer - a rarity for fado, since most are females), Pilon Batuku (Cape Verdean funana), & many more.

Hope you enjoy a dash of world music in your music diet, to liven things up!

Blessings,

Eduardo