THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR A FABULOUS STANDING ROOM ONLY EVENT!!! And on a personal note, this was the last concert my Dad came to before he passed away on June 3rd… a beautiful evening for such a lover of music. Thank you.
The Arts Block in Greenfield and Ellen Clegg present World Percussionist of the Year 2005 and 2008 Valerie Naranjo Live in Concert!!!!!!!! Monday May 9th 7:30pm on Main St. in Greenfield, sliding scale $15 – $5. “She grabs your full attention and you are wrapped up in her for as long as she plays.” “Valerie Naranjo on (marimba) and drums is utterly riveting…fascinating…” Valley Percussionist Ellen Clegg enthusiastically welcomes her teacher and mentor, Valerie, to the Valley, and will open the evening with some original songs, joined by members from OffBeat. www.foundsounds.com.
Percussionist, vocalist, composer VALERIE DEE NARANJO, known for her pioneering efforts on West African keyboard percussion is a Coloradoan of Ute (Native American) descent. In 1988 her playing of the traditional repertoire of the gyil (West African solo marimba) led to the declaration of a chiefly decree in the Dagara nation that women be allowed to play the instrument for the first time. In 1996 she took a “First Place” in Ghana’s Kobine Traditional Festival gyil competition, currently the only non West African to have done so.
She plays percussion and arranges for the Saturday Night Live Band and has recorded and performed with Broadway’s The Lion King, The Philip Glass Ensemble, David Byrne, The Paul Winter Consort, Tori Amos, Airto Moreira, and the international percussion ensemble, MEGADRUMS, which includes Milton Cardona, Zakir Hussein, and Glen Velez. On six continents Valerie is a clinician for Pearl Corporation and Adams Musical Instruments, Zildjian, and Vic Firth.
Hope to see you there!!!!