For Immediate Release: Toronto, ON
Saturday April 23, 2010
Batuki Music Society and the Gladstone Hotel present music
from Equatorial Guinea featuring Anastasio and Zalang Band on Friday, May 6th
at the Melody Bar at 7 pm.
This is the second event in the World Concert Series that
takes place on the first Friday of each month from 7 – 10 pm. at the Gladstone
Hotel located at 1214 Queen St. West, Toronto. This is an all ages event and
it's free. The series will feature a diverse lineup of performers with a strong
focus on African music. Guest DJ Apollo will be spinning from his vast
collection of popular African hits.
Ever heard music from one of Africa's tiniest nations on the
Atlantic Coast? Batuki Music Society and the Gladstone Hotel are proud to
present the unique sounds of Equatorial Guinea featuring its native son,
Anastasio Bickie for a free concert at the Melody Bar.
Anastasio Bickie was born into a musical family in the lush
tropical and tiny country of Equatorial Guinea in West Africa. Bickie immersed
himself in music from an early age. His father played guitar and often his home
would be filled with people singing, dancing and playing drums. There was a
popular musician, Ecuaga Miko who along with his wife, would travel from
village to town singing and dancing to traditional 'Fang' rhythms and melodies.
The town's people would supply the drummers and their voices would become the
backup choir for Miko and his wife to perform. Bickie was influenced greatly in
his early years through these musical experiences and this environment
contributed greatly to his decision to make a career in music.
While growing up in Bata on the mainland in the Rio Muni
district there was not a lot of local recorded music available. The radio
stations mostly broadcast popular music of neighbouring countries like
Cameroon, Gabon and Nigeria, soukous of Zaire, music from Spain, South America
and Cuba, European and North American pop music. These musical styles along
with the traditional 'elon' rhythms and other musical styles of Equatorial
Guinea combined to create the unique sound of Bickie's music.
Bickie had the opportunity to go to Madrid where he formed
his first band called Annax. He performed with his group around Spain and also
toured with a popular Spanish duo, Eduardo Rodrigo and Teresa Rabal. Soon after
Bickie migrated to Canada in 1985 and called Toronto home, he formed a band and
named it Annax Bickie and Zalang. Anastasio Bickie is one of a few musicians
that introduced African music to Toronto in the mid '80's. His band recorded a
couple of albums, 'Harvest Time' and 'Cosecha', and an award winning video 'I
Can't Sleep'. Annax Bickie and Zalang performed in some of Toronto's popular
clubs including The Phoenix, The El Mocambo, The Bamboo Club and Harbourfront Centre.
Anastasio's band continues to capture the same spirit and
energy that have always been a part of his music. Fronted by Anastasio on
vocals/guitar, Zalang's lineup is comprised of bass, drums, percussion, keys
and lead guitar.
On bass guitar is Steve Perzow who has been an active part
of the independent Toronto music community for many years. His involvement in a
broad range of projects has led to participation in music festivals, live
comedy and theatre productions, recordings and collaborations. Maurizio Valente
brings over 20 years of drumming experience to Zalang. After studying at the
Ontario College of Percussion he relocated to New York City where he spent five
years pursuing several musical and theatrical projects. His return to Toronto
has seen him perform with various top 40 and R&B bands throughout the city.
Maurizio teaches drum at 'Just Drums'. On percussion is Daniel Shlagbaum who
has been playing various types of percussion for over 20 years. He has
travelled to West Africa to study 'djembe' and 'pan logo' as well as India to
study 'tabla'. On keyboards Howard Goldbach is an accomplished musician and
composer, he teaches at the Toronto Institute for the Enjoyment of Music and
regularly performs with pop group Fighter/Lover. On lead guitar is Simon Akirov
who began studying classical guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music at the
age of seven. He teaches at the Toronto Institute for the Enjoyment of Music
and has a strong interest in many musical styles from around the world.
Event: Anastasio
and Zalang Band, DJ Apollo
When:
Friday, May 6th, 2011
Venue:
Melody Bar at the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
Time:
7 – 10 pm.
Admission: Free (all ages)
info@batukimusic.com www.batukimusic.com
Batuki Music Society gratefully acknowledges the support of
the Ontario Arts Council and the Gladstone Hotel.
- 30 -
Batuki Music Society360A Bloor St. W.P.O. Box 68585Toronto, ONM5S 1X0
nadine@batukimusic.comwww.batukimusic.com
"nurturing and strengthening cultural diversity through music and the arts."
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