ARTISTS

Ross Daly - lyra, rabab, tarhu / Periklis Papapetropoulos- oud / Zohar Fresco - percussion / Kelly Thoma - lyra 
Other constellations / projects (from duo & trio to large ensemble) with: Yorgos Xylouris, Goksel Baktagir, Ballake Sissoko, Huun Huur Tu, Stelios Petrakis, Pedram Havar Zamini, Periklis Papapetropoulos, Bijan Chemirani, Chemirani Trio, Efren Lopez, a.o.

..."Ross Daly, an Irish musician who lives in Crete, encompasses in his singular musical language all the musical traditions of the East, from India, through Persia to Turkey and Greece, and focuses on the Cretan lyra (including a custom built version of it), an instrument that is a close relative of the kemence. He led a quartet comprising Turkish oud player Yurdal Tokcan, Israeli percussionist Zohar Fresco and fellow Cretan lyra player Kelly Thoma. The emphasis on this performance was on the open and patient interplay that left enough room for personal expressions. The four musicians formed an immediate intimacy, and each gesture sparked a supportive answer from the others. Daly's plying resonated with many distant and ancient overtones, but all melted now into his unifying language. Tokcan spiced his solos with surprising and humoristic citations in a way that brought to mind another great oud master, Rabih Abou Khalil. Fresco is one of the most sensitive percussionists around and can add color and depth to any theme with minimal means, but he can also amplify the rhythm and push the other players when needed. Thoma featured a beautiful composition of hers that was interpreted majestically by this quartet. More than likely all four were surprised by the enchanting impact of their performance when the audience refused to leave the hall and demanded more and more encores." Eyal Hareuveni, Jerusalem Oud Festival, 2009.

..."At the start, with the seven-piece orchestra sitting in a semi-circle clutching the unfamiliar instruments, few in the audience knew quite what to expect. Three hours later Daly expressed everyone's hopes when, regretting that time had run out, he promised to be back. " Chris Williams, Folk Roots, Queen Elizabeth Hall 2009

Available upon request