Album Notes

Solo drum improvisation by Vince Delgado. Not for the faint-hearted! The world-class percussion master improvises all by himself on the Egyptian tabla (also known as darbukka, doumbek).
Vince Delgado grew up in San Fransisco's Mission District. At the age of 12 he was an aspiring jazz drummer, whose musical heroes were Baby Dodds, Big Sid Catlett and Gene Krupa. Later, his inspiration came from all teh great Bebop drummers of the 40's and 50's; he performed in the jazz idiom from the age of 15 to 30, doing mostly jazz casuals. After hearing music from different cultures, he became interested in world music. He studied classical Japanese chamber music, playing and singing for Japanese functions with his teacher, Madame Suwada. Later he performed with philospher Alan Watts, and recorded music for two albums of Japanese poetry.
Vince made his first album at the age of 22 with Harry Partch, the great innovative composer and instrument maker. He began playing Middle Eastern music in 1961 with two of his best friends, `udist/singer Atoine Malouf, originally from Iraq. As a trio, they established the first Arabic night club in the Bay Area. Vince continued to perform in Arabic night clubs for 25 years, accompanying Fadil Shahin, George and Jad Elias, Azgar Azarvand, Ishmael, Richard Hagopian and many others.
One of Vince's greates involvements has been with the ensemble Jazayer, founded with Devi-ja Delgado Croll (his daughter) and Mimi Spencer. In existence for over 20 years, it has evolved from a belly dance accompaniment group to a polished ensemble capable of performing classical and urban music of the Arabic and Turkish world, as well as original and innovative music. Jazayer acquired a Greek persona as well, and plays for many Greek folk dance functions. Jazayer as presented concerts of classical Arabic music with Ali Jihad Racy, noted nay player and professor of ethnomusicology at UCLA, including Layali Saif, also with violinist Simon Shaheen.