Journey with Laura Inserra

A taste of live Mandala events 2009

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:58:03 -0800

Mandala is a series of artistic events that gather great artists from all over the world.
These gatherings of artists of various genres are directed by Laura Inserra to create a Maṇḍala of different expressions of art like music, dance, poems, images and more...
This podcast has some of the music and texts performed during the fridays nights series of 2009.
Listening also the first Maṇḍala of december 2008, the Maṇḍala trio with Spiritwalker and the October 2009 one with special guest Jaya Gandhi on bansuri flute.

Featuring artists:
Maṇḍala May 3 2009 < 0:0->05:07>
Laura Inserra - HANG, udu drum
Evan Fraser - kalimbas, jaw harps, kamale n'goni
tBird Luv - vocals, flute

Maṇḍala July 3 2009 < 05:08->16:50>
Laura Inserra - HANG, udu drum
Pauchi Sasaki - violin
Aharon Wheels Bolsta - tablas
Francesca Genco - voice
Kimba Theurich - voice

Maṇḍala August 7 2009 < 16:51->31:58 >
Laura Inserra - HANG, didjeridu, percussion
John Villa - didjeridu, frame drums and nay
Claudia Anfuso - storyteller
Sahib-Amar - viola
Amar Khalsa - clarinets, silver flute, tibetan bowls

Maṇḍala September 4 2009 < 32:00->39:12>
Laura Inserra - HANG, percussion (Italy)
Tina Blaine - udu drum, percussion, santur (USA)
Marguerite Rigoglioso - writer

Maṇḍala October 2 2009 < 39:13->52:08>
Laura Inserra - HANG, percussion (Italy)
Alejandra Ortiz - voice (Colombia)
Claudia Cuentas - wind instruments (Peru’)
Jaya Gandhi - bansuri flute (India)
Aharon Wheels Bolsta - bansuri flute, tablas (USA)
Shay Nichols - voice (USA)
Amar Khalsa - clarinets, silver flute, tibetan bowls (USA)
Yaquelin Laporte - performer (Cuba)

Maṇḍala November 6 2009 < 52:09->1:05:42>
Laura Inserra - HANG, percussion (Italy) Aharon Wheels Bolsta - bansuri flute, tablas (USA)
Evan Fraser - kalimbas, jaw harps, kamale n'goni (USA) Tina Blaine - percussion, santur (USA)

Yoga Mandala (Berkeley), May - November 2009

In memory of Lhasa de Sela

Sun, 3 Jan 2010 14:11:49 -0800

Official press release
In Montreal, Canada: Sunday January 3rd, 2010
The singer Lhasa de Sela passed away in her Montreal home on the night of January 1st 2010, just before midnight.

She succumbed to breast cancer after a twenty-one month long struggle, which she faced with courage and determination.

Throughout this difficult period, she continued to touch the lives of those around her with her characteristic grace, beauty and humor. The strength of her will carried her once again into the recording studio, where she completed her latest album, followed by successful record launches in Montreal at the Théatre Corona and in Paris at the Théatre des Bouffes du Nord. Two concerts in Iceland in May were to be her last.

She was forced to cancel a long international tour scheduled for autumn 2009. A projected album of the songs of Victor Jara and Violeta Parra would also remain unrealized.

Lhasa de Sela was born on September 27, 1972, in Big Indian, New York.

Lhasa's unusual childhood was marked by long periods of nomadic wandering through Mexico and the U.S., with her parents and sisters in the school bus which was their home. During this period the children improvised, both theatrically and musically, performing for their parents on a nightly basis. Lhasa grew up in a world imbued with artistic discovery, far from conventional culture.
Later Lhasa became the exceptional artist that the entire world discovered in 1997 with La Llorona, followed by 2003's The Living Road, and 2009's self-titled LHASA. These three albums have sold over a million copies world-wide.

It is difficult to describe her unique voice and stage presence, which earned her iconic status in many countries throughout the world, but some Journalists have described it as passionate, sensual, untamable, tender, profound, troubling, enchanting, hypnotic, hushed, powerful, intense, a voice for all time.

Lhasa had a unique way of communicating with her public. She dared to open her heart on stage, allowing her audience to experience an intimate connection and communion with her. She profoundly affected and inspired many people throughout the cities and countries she visited.
An old friend of Lhasa's, Jules Beckman, offered these words:
"We have always heard something ancestral coming through her. She has always spoken from the threshold between the worlds, outside of time. She has always sung of human tragedy and triumph, estrangement and seeking with a Witness's wisdom. She has placed her life at the feet of the Unseen."

Lhasa leaves behind her partner Ryan, her parents Alejandro and Alexandra, her step-mother Marybeth, her 9 brothers and sisters (Gabriela, Samantha, Ayin, Sky, Miriam, Alex, Ben, Mischa and Eden), her 16 nieces and nephews, her cat Isaan, and countless friends, musicians, and colleagues who have accompanied her throughout her career, not to mention her innumerable admirers throughout the world.

Her family and close friends were able to mourn peacefully during the last two days, and greatly appreciated this meaningful period of quiet intimacy. Funeral and services will be held privately.

It has snowed more than 40 hours in Montreal since Lhasa's departure.

Mandala - concert. October 2, 2009

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:25:25 -0800

Maṇḍala is a series of artistic events held on the first Friday of each month. In ritual, the Maṇḍala is a gateway for the manifestation of Universal forces.
These events will gather artists of various genres directed by Laura Inserra, creating a Maṇḍala of music, dance, poems, images and more...
Different ‘special guests’ will be present at each Maṇḍala.

Featuring artists:

Laura Inserra - HANG, percussion (Italy)
Alejandra Ortiz - voice (Colombia)
Claudia Cuentas - wind instruments (Peru’)
Jaya Gandhi - bansuri flute (India)
Aharon Wheels Bolsta - bansuri flute, tablas (USA)
Shay Nichols - voice (USA)
Amar Khalsa - clarinets, silver flute, tibetan bowls (USA)
Yaquelin Laporte - performer (Cuba)

Yoga Mandala (Berkeley) - October 2, 2009

HANG Gliding - Heart of Space - broadcast

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:41:30 -0800

A rhythmelodic journey for resonant steel first broadcast.
What looks like an elegant flying saucer, sounds like a more melodious cousin of the steel pan drum, and is the first new musical instrument of the 21st century?
Give up? It's the latest member of the idiophone family, the hang — spelled h-a-n-g and pronounced "hong." Invented in Bern, Switzerland in 2000 by veteran steel pan makers FELIX ROHNER and SABINA SCHAERER, hang means "hand" in the Bernese Swiss German dialect.
Featuring:
ALAN TOWER
  Compassion < 0:0->2:59>
  : MUSIC FOR ANIMALS: SOLO HANG ; Evo Sound 2007
  : Info: www.alantower.net

LAURA INSERRA & DARREN GIBBS   Passage V < 02:59->11:03>   Passage IV < 11:03->38:27>   : MUSICAL INCENSE, VOLUME TWO ; Samavesha 2009   : Info: www.laurainserra.com 
LAURA INSERRA & DARREN GIBBS   Passage I < 38:27->52:15>   : MUSICAL INCENSE, VOLUME ONE ; Samavesha 2009   : Info: www.laurainserra.com 
STEPHAN MICUS   Morgenstern < 52:15->54:23>   Yuko's Eyes < 54:23->58:59>   : TO THE EVENING CHILD ; ECM 1992   : Info: www.ecmrecords.com 
PRODUCED BY : Steve Davis and Stephen Hill
  : Info: www.hos.com
Program 882, July 24 2009

HANG Rhapsody on KPFA radio station

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:13:53 -0700

Music of the World with Stephen Kent.
Host Stephen Kent invites extraordinary performance from 21st century instrumental ensemble, Hang Rhapsody (www.hangrhapsody.com), into the KPFA studios to play live and talk about their upcoming Bay Area concert (Hawk Hill Tunnel – Marin Headlands).
HANG played by:
Laura Inserra
Evan Fraser
Aharon Wheels Bolsta

KPFA studios (Berkeley) - October 15, 2009

Musical Incense at Garden of Memory

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:49:00 -0700

Hello friends!
I have released two new CDs. They are called Musical Incense (Vol. 1&2), and they are a collaboration with fellow musician Darren Gibbs.

The tracks, called Passage, are extended contemplative improvisations for Hang and Electric Guitar with custom looping software.
This CD series is what many of you have been asking for since the release of 'Hang: a Collection of Works'. An ambience, a sonic tapestry, an atmosphere that is spacious and easy to immerse oneself in. The sounds drift in and out of awareness, like the scent of nearby incense...

This project was presented at the Chapel of the Chimes for the Garden of Memory 2009, the annual summer solstice celebration. A Columbarium Walk-Through Concert to Celebrate the Solstice at Chapel of the Chimes, a labyrinthine Julia Morgan-designed columbarium and mausoleum replete with gardens, fountains, and stained-glass skylights.

Described by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Joshua Kosman as “a walk-through fun house of musical and visual splendor” the concert features simultaneous performances in different parts of the building by Bay Area composers, musicians, and other performers presenting a variety of acoustic and electronic music, installations, and interactive events; the audience is free to move throughout the building during the performances.

Featured artists:
Laura Inserra - Hang
Darren Gibbs - Electric Guitar with custom looping software
and special guest
Pauchi Sasaki - Violin
for the release of these captivating musical dialogues...

Chapel of the Chime (Oakland) - June 21, 2009

Rain Dances

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 08:20:58 -0700

Dance Monks presents “Dance Rain” with live music by Samavesha’s musician Laura Inserra.
All of the text and movement performed by the children was created by them as part of the creative process.

PLAYLIST:
1. Waiting for the dancers
2. Pan
3. Pouring Dance
4. Pass the water dance
5. Trio water
1. What I see through the window
2. Thunder dance
3. Rhythm dance bless
4. Trio storm
5. Follow the ocean

Highland Elementary School
Artists-in-residence 2009.
GREEN PROJECT
Richmond - May 15, 2009.

Mandala - concert. May 17, 2009

Tue, 19 May 2009 16:42:08 -0700

This is another beautiful evening of inspiration and divine sounds from Samavesha artists.
A delightful musical journey with Laura Inserra (hang, percussion), Evan Fraser (kamale n'goni, kalimba, jaw harp, percussion), T Bird Luv (flute, vocals, percussion) and special guests.

Yoga Mandala (Berkeley) - May 17, 2009

3 Muses and Musical journeys

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:42:56 -0800

A taste of improvisations from ‘3 Muses’ and ‘Musical Journeys’. These are SAMAVESHA events that took place in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Featured artists:
Laura Inserra - hang, percussion
Irina Mikhailova - singer
Shay Nichols - voice
TBird - voice, flute
Evan Fraser - percussions, indian mouth harp
Aharon Wheels Bolsta - bansuri, tabla
Jhon Villa - didgeridoo, middle eastern percussion

Berkeley - December 13, 2007 and April 10, 2008

Mandala... a musical evening

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:53:52 -0800

Samavesha is back with a one-of-a-kind performance, joining artists from around the globe in a delightful evening of inspirational music and magical collaborations. It is the nature of Samavesha to bridge across cultures and let the language of music be the vessel for enjoyment and transformation. This is an aural journey with multi-faceted musicians renowned for their improvisational sensitivity and talent.

PLAYLIST:
1. Traditional australian invocation
2. Duo tBird and Evan
3. From dawn to sunset
4. Yacca
5. Peruvian song
6. N’goni mood
7. Santurina
8. Evan solo
9. tBird solo
10. Male trio
11. Female trio
12. Finale

Featured artists:
Laura Inserra - hang, percussion
Evan Fraser - kalimbas, jaw harps, kamale n'goni, percussion
tBird Luv - vocals, flute, percussion
Claudia Cuentas - flutes, vocals
John Villa - didgeridoo, framedrums, nay
Ricardo 'Rosh' Rothhirsch - banjo, kamale n'goni

Yoga Mandala (Berkeley) - December 13, 2008

Solo Concert

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 17:40:28 -0800

In this concert I played many different instruments. I also used my computer for a drone to support the song Melancoly and I set the reverb for the mics.

PLAYLIST:
1. Melancoly - flute and drone
2. Awakening of the Peacock - tubo sonoro, udu drum
3. Didgeridoo Trip - didgeridoo
4. From Dawn to Sunset - hang
5. Integral Hang - hang
6. Two Djembe - djembe
7. Big Drum - pow-wow drum
8. Percussion Hang - hanag
9. Dedicated to Chris - hang
10. Baba - voice and shakere'
11. African mood - voicelong drum
12. Hang in Pigmy - hang
1. Abballati abballati - voice and tammorra

Yogalayam (Berkeley) - November 1, 2008

Elemental

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 13:28:10 -0800

This music is taken from a performance called Elemental. Elemental was directed by me and I performed it with artists from the SAMAVESHA collective.
The score for Elemental is based on the 5 elements (earth, water, fire, wind, space) and their connection to the 5 senses (smell, taste, sight, touch, hearing). All manifested universe is the expression of the 5 elements, and exploring our connection to them helps us to have a better relationship and interaction with the world we live in.

PLAYLIST:
1. Introduction
2. Poem for the video
3. Earth and Water
4. Wind
5. Fire
6. Declaration de Amor
7. Space

Featured artists:
Laura Inserra - percussion, hang, didgeridoo, flute
Pauchi Sasaki Otani - violin, ocean harp
Darren Gibbs - electric guitar, software art
Claudia Cuentas - wind instruments, storyteller
Mike Wofchuck - percussion, didgeridoo
Hooman Fazly - singer
Melody Jeune Ferris - singer
Karl Frost - dancer
Isabelle Fortier - dancer
Lopamudra - dancer
Claudia Anfuso - storyteller
Gauri - narrator
Jeff Cressbone - sound engineer

Yoga Mandala (Berkeley) - April 25, 2007

Intro to my Podcast

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 10:48:14 -0800

Hello, I am Laura Inserra. Welcome to my podcast.
I am a composer multi-instrumentalist musician involved in different expressions of Art. This podcast is to share with you some of my music and inspirations of my life. You are welcome to subscribe and be automatically updated with new entries. Over time I will add tracks from my concerts, samples of new releases and other sounds from my journeys. Enjoy it..

Voice:
Laura Inserra