Album Notes

Arabesque plays a blend of Celtic, Middle Eastern and original tunes on flute and various string instruments. Any given song can be a vehicle to take the musicians and the listeners to new places, creating unique and heartfelt expressions through the blending of musical forms, ornaments, and styles. Steve and Miranda's backgrounds make them ideally suited for this musical journey: Miranda teaches World Music at the University of Oklahoma and has explored numerous world genres, and Steve works as an archeologist and a musician and is a student of history and mythology. They met in 2003 when Miranda joined Steve's long-running Irish band, "Banish Misfortune," her first time to try her hand at Irish music. While Miranda rapidly absorbed the band's Celtic style and tunes, Steve was fascinated by the Arabic pieces and Eastern influences that Miranda brought with her from her work with a local classical Arabic music ensemble. It all came together when the two had a chance to sit down together to try out some tunes one evening after a Banish Misfortune gig way out in Beaver, Oklahoma. They realized that they had that rare combination of chemistry and ability, of interests and inclinations- or something like that. They are still trying to figure it out, but having lots of fun along the way.

Arabesque invites you on a magic carpet ride to faraway places with the intent to make you feel at home in each one. It starts with the realization that the world's people, cultures and music are more alike than different, and that we all have much to share. The more we learn about each other, the more tolerance and understanding grows in place of fear and ignorance. Arabesque strives to use music as a bridge to connect the east and west, the past and the future, the timely and the timeless.