Album Notes

NEW! EAST MEETS SOUTH: Live recording featuring Stephan Mikés on sitar, Dana Keller on dobro and Robert Thomas, Jr. on percussion. Dynamic combination of Indian-style improvisation with the haunting sounds of the dobro and masterful jazz rhythms on clay pot drum, not heard since the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

THE PERFORMERS

Stephan Mikés
Well known sitarist Stephan Mikés is part of a sitar teaching lineage that goes back over 600 years. Stephan is a beloved student of sitar master Roop Verma, who in turn is a primary student of Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan. Since 1986, Stephan has been performimg and perfecting his own distinctive technique on the sitar. He has released seven highly acclaimed CDs of his modern original world jazz and traditional Indian music. His song "Medium Rara" was included on the prestigious Putumayo Records' 1996 release A World Instrumental Collection and he was presented by PBS in their TV special about Stephan and his music, "Sitar Under the Stars: An East-West Fusion."

Dana Keller
Dana is a veteran dobro, pedal steel, lap steel and guitar player who has spent years performing with the likes of Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Rodriguez and the Allen Brothers. He has graced the stage and opened for, among others, Spirit, Pure Prairie League, Gordon Lightfoot, Waylon Jennings and Buck Owens. Dana Keller has been an endorsee of the Gretsch Guitar and Drum Company since 1980.

Robert Thomas, Jr.
A legendary world-class percussionist and hand drummer, Robert Thomas Jr. is best known for his outstanding work as a member of Weather Report. He has performed with many jazz greats including B.B. King, Duke Ellington, Herbie Mann, Herbie Hancock and Branford Marsalis, to name a few. He is also frontman and leader for his own groundbreaking projects.

Stephan Alvin
Avant garde painter and radio personality Stephan Alvin joins "East Meets South" on
tamboura. He also assists the group in management and promotion.