Album Notes

Uniquely compelling and rhythmically driven, MAYA, a trio of harp, flute and percussion was founded in New York City in 2005. The artists are John Hadfield, percussion; Jacqueline Kerrod, harp; Sato Moughalian, flute. The group draws on a spectacular collection of percussion instruments from around the world. MAYA: In The Spirit includes five original commissions, its debut CD. RICARDO ROMANEIRO, a 28- year-old Brazilian composer, has created a new work inspired by the chants of the Krenak, a tribe from the Northeast of Brazil. The stellar young composer ALEXANDRA DU BOIS has breathed new life into the plaintive Appalachian classic song, I Wonder as I Wander. Trendsetting New York cellist-composer ERIK FRIEDLANDER has crafted an improvisatory and virtuosic dance based on a 15th century Sephardic song. Composer and bassist-leader GREGG AUGUST adds a cool note of jazz to Greensleeves. MAYA’s own percussionist JOHN HADFIELD offers an homage to the sights and sounds of Istanbul in American Dervish. Tchaikovsky’s Arabian Dance from his beloved Nutcracker is arranged for the Turkish darbuka. In addition, In The Spirit features five classic Christmas favorites in an earthy new style and four unique arrangements of world music favorites.

In The Spirit is luxuriously presented in a six-panel digipak and slipcase covered with luminous images of timeless ceramic art from Turkey and Jerusalem in an ancient tradition. The music is an evocation, a personal voyage in sound to far-flung times and places. Brilliantly produced and engineered by Grammy Award-winning producer Steven Epstein, In The Sprit is both traditional and innovative, a lush and inviting cultural journey.