Chinese & World Percussion / ODC Theater / 7pm April 3, 2005

AN EVENING OF CHINESE & WORLD PERCUSSION

MASTER WANG WEI & FRIENDS

APRIL 3, 2005 ? 7PM ? ODC THEATER

(San Francisco, CA) ? The internationally acclaimed master percussionist
from China, Wang Wei, will be presenting a concert along with didjeridu
player, Stephen Kent, renown tabla player, Jim Santi Owen, African
percussionist, Ken Okulolo, and Beijing Opera jinghu player, Edward Young.
This performance will feature traditional Chinese percussion pieces from
various regional styles such as Beijing Opera, Hunan, Shaanxi, and Zhejiang,
as well as, collaborative pieces with instruments from India, Africa, and
aboriginal Australia. They will present their unique percussive traditions
and combine forces to create a unique blend of Chinese, African, Indian, and
other world influences.

ABOUT MASTER WANG WEI
Mr. Wang is a graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, then later
joined the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble as their percussion soloist. In
1994, Wei and musicians from Germany, Inner Mongolia, Nanjing, Chengdu, and
Hangzhou together formed an East-West ensemble called Crossing. Together,
they won first place in the 1994 Beijing Jazz Competition. Mr. Wang attended
the Berlin Conservatory of Music, becoming the school's first student ever
to pursue a double major program in both jazz drums and hand drums/world
percussion. After his graduation in 2000, he was invited by the Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra to perform as a guest bangu soloist with Maestro Kent
Nagano in the "Rhythm and Dance" Concert. He has recorded extensively and
has been featured in "Sister Drum" and the music for movie "Crouching Tiger
Hidden Dragon". In January 2004 and February 2005, he performed with the San
Francisco Symphony in a Chinese New Year Celebration Concert. Mr. Wang
continues to perform all around the nation as well as to actively promote
Chinese percussion through workshops and lectures. In 2004, he established
the North America Chinese Percussion Society to promote the understanding
and performance of Chinese percussion music.

FEATURED GUESTS
Jim Santi Owen, co-director of the Indian percussion ensemble Tabla Rasa, is
known throughout the musical community as an accomplished tabla player and
South Indian multi-instrumentalist. He has performed with many gurus across
genres, participating in the circles of jazz, song, dance, and education.
Ken Okulolo, Nigerian vocalist, bassist, percussionist, and producer, is a
well respected musician and famous for reviving traditional African music as
well as combing it with jazz, rock, soul, and others. Okulolo is current
leader of three bands, West African Highlight Band, The Nigerian Brothers,
and Kotoja. Stephen Kent, one of the few world renowned didjeridu soloists,
has been critically acclaimed for his performances and recording projects
all over the world. He continues to perform actively as a soloist as well as
in collaboration with other well-known vocal and instrumental artists such
as Youssou Ndour, Baaba Maal, Uma Sumac, Zap Mama, Boukman Eksperyans,
Fatala, and Herbie Hancock. Edward Young, Beijing Opera jinghu (fiddle)
player, will perform a famous solo work with Master Wang Wei.

LOCATION
ODC Theater
3153-17th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

TICKETS & INFORMATION
General Admission: $20
415-863-9834 (ODC Box Office)
415-601-8896 (General Information)
www.doordog.org
[email protected]