http://easternblok.net/news.html Eastern Blok: News Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:05:32 -0700 http://easternblok.net/news.html#18
After selling out of Folk Tales, we are pleased to announce that they are back in stock. Additionally, we have a fresh batch of fashion ware. You can pre-order by sending a note to easternblok@yahoo.com. You can acquire Eastern Blok goods online or at one of our upcoming shows.

Eastern Blok is playing in Chicago on Wednesday and Saturday, Rockford on Friday, and in Poland in early November. Here’s the info:

Wednesday, 28-October-09
Eastern Blok
Live @ the Whistler
2421 N. Milwaukee, Chicago
9:30-12:30
*with special guest Grazyna Auguscik

Friday, 30-October-09
Eastern Blok
Live @ Mary’s Performing Arts Center
602 N. Madison St., Rockford
9:30-12:30

Saturday, 31-October-09
Eastern Blok
Live @ Old Town School of Folk Music
Opening for the Warsaw Village Band
Short set at 7pm sharp!

Poland, with Grazyna Auguscik
4-Nov: Bytom- Bytomskie Centrum Kultury, godz 19.00
5-Nov: Krakow- Alchemia, godz 21:00
6-Nov: Warszawa/Lomianki- Jazz Café, godz 20.00
8-Nov: Torun- Centrum Kultury Dwor Artusa, godz 18.00
9-Nov: Lublin- Filharmonia im H. Wieniawskiego, godz 19.00
11-Nov: Slupsk- Teatr Rondo, godz 18.00
12-Nov: Gdansk- Stacja Prunia, godz 20.00

You can find more info at some of these sites:
www.easternblok.net
www.cdbaby.com

Thanks!
Matt, Goran, Doug, and Michael]]> http://easternblok.net/news.html#18 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News http://easternblok.net/news.html#17
As the group has traveled and matured, it has found teaching to be an important aspect of its mission. Multimedia performances, lectures and master classes on the instrumentation, history and geopolitics of South and Eastern Europe as well as an emphasis on the group’s unique musical approach are presented.

Eastern Blok has taught at the following institutions:

Ӣ Princeton University
Ӣ Cornell University
Ӣ Carnegie Mellon University
Ӣ University of Michigan
Ӣ DePaul University
Ӣ Roosevelt university
Ӣ Northeastern Illinois University
Ӣ Lewis University
Ӣ University of Pittsburgh
Ӣ The Francis Parker School
Ӣ New Trier High School
Ӣ SUNY-Fredonia
Ӣ Ithaca High School
Ӣ Empire State College
Ӣ Schaumburg High School
Ӣ Grand Valley State University


Eastern Blok offers the following workshops:


The History and Development of Balkan Music

With this presentation, the group provides an overview of the Balkans for beginning to advanced students of all ages. A discussion (often with musical examples) revolves around the following questions: how did this amazing music develop? Where was Yugoslavia? Who are the great artists from countries such as Serbia, Romania, Macedonia and Bulgaria? What are the defining characteristics of Balkan Music? How does music from this region reflect the regional music of nearby Turkey, Austria, Russia, as well as the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish religions? What has been the (continuing) contribution of the Roma people?

The Business of a Band

This class focuses on the inherent difficulties of the music business. How do you determine your “brand?” How does one “make rain?” How do we market ourselves? What about the role of the Internet? Can touring be financially feasible?


Incorporating world music into a jazz ensemble

Jazz musicians have always incorporated worldly elements, from Duke Ellington’s “Caravan” to contemporary music. Why and how do composers use these inspirations? What are some of the most popular influences? How might one incorporate traditional folk songs into one’s own improvisational vocabulary?


Master classes for jazz and classical ensembles

Eastern Blok listens to student ensembles and offers their perspective on students’ performances.

Individual master classes

Goran Ivanovic, Guitar

Ӣ Guitar techniques (scales, slurs, arpeggios)
Ӣ Solving technical problems with musical choices
Ӣ Sound and color development - utilizing a flexible right hand with scales and arpeggios
Ӣ Chamber music - working on simple grooves
Ӣ Learning how to be a better listener
Ӣ Music from folk cultures - what to listen to in order to sound more authentic. Rodrigo, Falla, Albeniz, Lauro, Brouwer, Piazzolla, etc.
”¢ Performance, competition preparation — strategies for successful public performance
Ӣ Making it in the real world. How to survive as a guitarist today. Finding and creating work.


Doug Rosenberg, Saxophones and Woodwinds
Doug demonstrates some of his improvisational methods:

Ӣ Creating modal sounds using odd groupings
Ӣ Getting comfortable with odd time signatures, including various clave patterns
Ӣ Tone development
Ӣ Daily practice routines
Ӣ Transcription and its fundamental importance to music making
Ӣ Developing musical intuition
Ӣ Creating a personal and unique voice
Ӣ Composition
Ӣ Learning repertoire and styles
Ӣ Reed maintenance
Ӣ Doubling


Matt Ulery, Bass
Acoustic and electric bass workshop for creative musicians and composers.

This workshop focuses on the role of the bassist in a jazz or creative music ensemble with an emphasis on shaping the music from a compositional point of view. The program emphasizes a "no fear" philosophy toward improvisation and the creative process.

Topics include:
Ӣ Exercises for developing technique
Ӣ Devices for honing skills in free or structured improvisation
Ӣ Modern jazz and global theory
Ӣ Important historical information on the bass and its universal role in folk music from around the world


Michael Caskey, Drums and Percussion
Creative Improvisation for Drums and Percussion!

This workshop focuses on developing strategies for creative exploration and improvisation. Using a variety of techniques, the student will gain devices for letting their creativity flow.

Methods covered:
Ӣ Developing a "vocabulary"
Ӣ Utilizing limitations as a paradoxical solution for "improviser's block"
Ӣ "Call & response" methodology
Ӣ Unexpected devices as a catalyst for creativity

This workshop is not limited only to drummers/percussionists. Any student of music or the arts will find welcome additions to their creative toolbox!

Endorsements by Selmer, Rico, Evans and D’Addario may be able to assist with educational activities.]]> http://easternblok.net/news.html#17 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News http://easternblok.net/news.html#16 Goran Ivanovic Fareed Haque
Live at the Apple Store


It’s true that Goran Ivanovic was born of a Serbian father and a Bosnian Croat mother...and that Fareed Haque was born of a Pakistani father and a Chilean mother...but that’s just the beginning of their musical lineage. Ivanovic studied at Salzburg’s Mozarteum with Eliot Fisk and Joaquin Clerch. Haque has performed with Sting, the classical violinist Kennedy, Cassandra Wilson, Kurt Elling, Edgar Meyer, and Paquito D’Rivera. Strains of classical, pop, jazz, Latin, blues, and world music simmer in the haunting laments and propulsive dances of their “Macedonian blues for two guitars.”


APPLE STORE, 3PM
103 Prince Street, Soho
FREE, (212) 226-3126
apple.com]]> http://easternblok.net/news.html#16 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News http://easternblok.net/news.html#15 http://easternblok.net/news.html#15 Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News http://easternblok.net/news.html#12
http://www.wall2wallguitar.net/gallery/2007/pages/15.htm]]> http://easternblok.net/news.html#12 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News http://easternblok.net/news.html#10 http://easternblok.net/news.html#10 Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News http://easternblok.net/news.html#3
You can listen here:
http://audio.wbez.org/848/2007/03/848_20070308d.mp3]]> http://easternblok.net/news.html#3 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News http://easternblok.net/news.html#9
http://www.preyinglizardmusic.com/im.htm]]> http://easternblok.net/news.html#9 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News http://easternblok.net/news.html#8
http://www.propculture.com/view.php?id=24&page=tunes]]> http://easternblok.net/news.html#8 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News http://easternblok.net/news.html#13
"...Their music is mostly of the Eastern European klezmer sort, with a generous topping of Middle Eastern influences, haunting, jazz-like, and consistently enjoyable. The band’s bassist, who played both the acoustic and the electric bass, trading bow for pick with ease, swayed excitedly to the music. The drummer, hands flying and eyes slightly mad, kept the beat flowing behind them.
Eastern Blok alternated between playing composed music and improvisation, a line that was very hard to draw because their improvisation was so well-done..."

http://www.biconews.com/article/view/5948]]> http://easternblok.net/news.html#13 Sat, 11 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Balkan Fusion - Eastern Blok - News