Artist description A multi-style world music ensemble,Pulse is conceptualized as an endeavor to reflect and illuminate the pathways between continents, countries and cultures through the study and performance of ethnic and folkloric- influenced pop music.

Music Style World Pop-Afropop, Carribean, Latin, Reggae, Zydeco,International Dance Music

Musical Influences Paul Simon, David Byrne, King Sunny Ade, Alpha Blondy, Sam Mangwana, Remmy Ongala, Kotoja, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, The Ethiopians, Kanda Bongo Man, Santana, Tito Puente, Brave Combo......

Similar Artists As an American pop band, Pulse could be compared to the Brave Combo. Their sound varies according to the style of the song and the musical influence(see musical influences).

Artist History Pulse was created in 1988 by Michael J. Olson. More than just another "worldbeat band", Pulse was and is conceptualized as an endeavor to reflect and illuminate the pathways between continents, countries and cultures through the study and performance of ethnic and folkloric- influenced pop music. In 1989 Olson was joined by Andy Lehman, whom he had met at Pulse's first Tucson performance in July of 1988. Both were inspired by the intriguing guitar musical structures heard in West African "Highlife" music and they formed an alliance as a guitar duo while setting about to shape the sound and style based on the interdependent rhythmic communication between all instruments that Pulse is known for today. In 1993 Tom Fetter, whom Olson and Lehman had also met at Pulse's 1988 Tucson debut, was persuaded to join Pulse on keyboards, completing the current front line. With the unification of this trio, Pulse was now strong with vocal and songwriting talent. Oddly enough, Pulse's rhythm section has almost always been in a state of flux with various combinations of bassists, drummers, and percussionists coming, going, and coming again over the years. It has truly become like an extended family, a long, all-star list fat with local and regional talent. While this means constantly balancing training on one hand and artistic exploration on the other, evolving as a band in this way has enabled Pulse to continuously participate in a creative exchange with many supportive musical communities. The versatility resulting from this kind of existence is what makes it possible for Pulse to successfully write and cover so many different musical styles; Highlife, Reggae, Ska, Polka, Samba, Cumbia, Calypso and Zydeco to name a few. And, there's always something new in the works! This is also why Pulse has been privileged to share the concert stage with a wide array of touring performers like; Zulu Spear, O.J. Ekemode and his Nigerian All-stars, King Sunny Ade and his African Beats, Kanda Bongo Man, Queen Ida and her Bon Temps Band and Eek-a-Mouse. In 1996, Pulse released its CD "Calling All World Citizens". In July 2001, Pulse released a live CD, titled "In the Raw" and they are presently working on another studio project to be released in 2003.

Group Members Michael J. "Doc" Olson, Andrew Lehman, Tom Fetter, Cliff Berrien, Jonathan Crowe, Mark Holdaway

Instruments Guitars, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Multi-percussion

Albums 1996 "Calling All World Citizens" and 2000 "In The Raw"

Location Tucson, AZ - USA

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