Spring Break
Acoustic quartet 'a different kind' of jazz ensemble
SONIA SHARAN
Issue date: 1/18/07 Section: Out & About
It's clear from the composition of Dromedary Acoustic Quartet that it's not a typical jazz band.
The group, which will play Friday at the Melting Point, is composed of Andrew Reissiger on the charango and guitar; Rob McMaken on the mandolin, dulcimer, cumbus, and guitar; Louis Romanos on ethnic percussion and Chris Enghauser on the upright bass.
McMaken calls the band "a different kind of musical experience than any you'll ever have."
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Melting Point
More Information:
www.meltingpointathens.com, www.dromedarymusic.com
Cost: $9.50/adv, $10/doorThe band originally consisted of just two members, Reissiger and McMaken. It has since matured into a full quartet.
The ensemble plays a variety of odd instruments, such as the dulcimer - a stringed musical instrument from the zither family, which is used primarily in folk music.
McMaken is in good company with another famous dulcimer player - Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones. The charango is a small South American stringed instrument sometimes made from an armadillo shell.
"Our music comes from listening to lots of music from around the world," McMaken said.
"We mostly play original compositions, but these compositions are usually based on elements of music from one or more parts of the world. Mix ethnic instruments with jazz sensibilities, and there you have Dromedary Acoustic Quartet."
Even though Athens doesn't seem to be the best place to find a jazz band among all of the hard rockers, indie pop artists and singer-songwriters, the band has no shortage of die-hard fans in the Classic City.
Drew Edwards, a senior from Macon, will be at the show Friday.
"It has been too long since I've seen them play, and I also love to see shows at the Melting Point," Edwards said.
The group, which will play Friday at the Melting Point, is composed of Andrew Reissiger on the charango and guitar; Rob McMaken on the mandolin, dulcimer, cumbus, and guitar; Louis Romanos on ethnic percussion and Chris Enghauser on the upright bass.
McMaken calls the band "a different kind of musical experience than any you'll ever have."
DROMEDARY ACOUSTIC QUARTET
When: 8:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Melting Point
More Information:
www.meltingpointathens.com, www.dromedarymusic.com
Cost: $9.50/adv, $10/door
The ensemble plays a variety of odd instruments, such as the dulcimer - a stringed musical instrument from the zither family, which is used primarily in folk music.
McMaken is in good company with another famous dulcimer player - Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones. The charango is a small South American stringed instrument sometimes made from an armadillo shell.
"Our music comes from listening to lots of music from around the world," McMaken said.
"We mostly play original compositions, but these compositions are usually based on elements of music from one or more parts of the world. Mix ethnic instruments with jazz sensibilities, and there you have Dromedary Acoustic Quartet."
Even though Athens doesn't seem to be the best place to find a jazz band among all of the hard rockers, indie pop artists and singer-songwriters, the band has no shortage of die-hard fans in the Classic City.
Drew Edwards, a senior from Macon, will be at the show Friday.
"It has been too long since I've seen them play, and I also love to see shows at the Melting Point," Edwards said.
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