Artist description The A-42 Band's eclectic approach to making music combines the influences of the Jazz, Blues, African, Caribbean, Middle-Eastern and Celtic musical traditions. The arrangements are based on improvised melodies and rhythms, and depend on original and sometimes bizarre instrumental combinations for their appeal. The band members play didgeridoo, udu (an tonal clay drum), trombone, various wood flutes, bagpipe, jaw harp, the bodhran (a Celtic drum), and perform Tuvan multi-tonal throat-singing. Humor is also an essential ingredient in the A-42 Band's mix.

Music Style Improvisitory, humorous, and rowdy, featuring a huge array of instruments and vocal styles from around the world

Musical Influences Jazz, Blues, African, Caribbean, Middle-Eastern and Celtic instrumentation, melodies, and rhythms

Artist History The three band members, Dave, David, and Jason, were roommates their junior year at Harvard in Quincy A-41. They held frequent music jams in A-41, and somehow got the idea that they should take their wacky performing style to the stage. A bit of good karma mixed with a clerical error in the program of their first concert, and the name "A-42 Band" was born. (There is no Quincy A-42; "A-42" is a state of mind.) From the start, the band has drawn its energy from its audiences; it epitomizes LIVE music.

Group Members Jason Freidenfelds, David Williams, and David Horn

Instruments KARGIRAA -- From an onomatopoeic word that means in Tuvan, “To Wheeze,” this form of singing is characterized by an extremely low fundamental pitch, and open vowel sounds such as “aaah,” “oooh,” and “eh.” Usually produces three notes from one voice. SIGIT -- From Tuvan, “Whistle.” In this kind of singing, the fundamental is notably higher than in Kargiraa, and the vocal production is highly tensed. Produces two notes from one voice. KHOOMEI -- This style is sung in the same register as sigit, but with less laryngeal tension. Produces either two or three notes. BANANA -- Tropical plant of the genus musa, certain species of which are cultivated for their nutritous fruit. BODHRAN – (pronounced BOW-ran; rhymes with “plow ran”) Celtic frame drum used primarily in Scottish and Irish reels, hornpipes and jigs. The goatskin head is struck with a wooden tipper while the free hand manipulates the tension of the head to produce higher or lower tones. DIDGERIDOO -- also, dijeridu, yidaki. Australian Aboriginal instrument traditionally made from Eucalyptus branches hollowed out by termites. One of the world’s oldest instruments, one Australian legend has it that the didgeridoo was invented when a marauding giant, trapped and wounded by villagers, curled up, and as he died, blew on his own penis, creating an amazingly deep droning sound. The villagers tried to copy it, but to no avail so they searched for and found a large hollow log. DOUMBEK -- Goblet shaped drum of the Middle East. Arab and Turkish music feature the doumbek, and it is especially prominent in bellydance music. The combination of a deep bass tone (“doum”) and crisp, fiery treble tones (“tek”) give the doumbek its name. SHUTTLE PIPES -- Variation on the Highland Bagpipe, developed by John Walsh of Nova Scotia. Because the wind supply is continuous, the sounding pipes cannot be silent, and repeated melody notes must be articulated by inserting grace notes (notes of extremely short duration) between them. TROMBONE -- brass wind instrument with a cylindrical bore, a cup-shaped mouthpiece, and a slide mechanism. It originated about 1400 as an improvement to the trumpet. UDU -- Nigerian clay pot drum similar to the South Indian ghatam.

Location Cambridge, MA - USA

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