Jarocho music (Son Jarocho) has its origins in the 17th & 18th centuries from Spanish dances with additional African influences. Jarocho is usually a fast 6/8 against syncopated 3/4 time. The harp plays the melody and exciting solos while the Jaranas (small guitar-like instruments) play syncopated rhythms that blaze through tropical nights.

This is the happiest, most joyous music in the world. It’s festive and fun, a triple delight.  I had a blast recording this music and spending time in Mexico.  Manuel Zardain is a fantastic painter who created the Cd cover art.  His Veracruz art is the best.  Listen to Jarocho music (click here): El Alacran (f)

Jarocho Cd cover from Sonic Safari music

Chuck Jonkey at falls not far from Xalapa, Mexico

Colorful church in Xalapa, Mexico

Xico Church

We took buses from San Jose (the capital) to the southernmost part of the country on the Pacific side.  From the little town of Sierpe we took a boat down a river and through lush mangrove forests and on out to the coast.  The ocean was quite rough and our little boat was really only made for river travel.  After lots of bouncing and dodging large waves we approached a our destination,   a few huts on the coast with the jungle surrounding them.  I could see no docks and asked our capitan how we’d get to shore.  He just said “Hold on!” and gunned the engine into the pounding surf.  I couldn’t believe such a brash move and grabbed the side of the boat.  We flew through the surf and literally beached the boat.  Whew!   That was fun.   We unloaded our gear and put it in one of the little huts and went down the beach to film while there was still light.  The shore was lined with beautiful coconut palms and banyan trees.  Immediately behind the shore was some pristine jungle.  After a few hours of filming we returned to our little encampment and ate.  We retired to the hut to rest and prepare for an early morning’s expedition.  I lay down and drifted off, only to awaken shortly…I felt something on my neck!  I reached back to brush it off and it was Big!   What on earth?   I grabbed a flashlight and didn’t see anything.  The next morning we found the culprit….and here it is!

Unwanted guest

Here is a spectacular vista from the river.

Mysterious stone spheres made by the ancients appear in southern Costa Rica.  They are near perfect spheres.

I have recorded some amazing music made by all bamboo musical instruments:   bamboo drums, bamboo flutes, bamboo gongs,  bamboo xylophones, jaws harps and much more.

Indonesian Suling Flute

Here’s a beautiful example of bamboo music.  Click on the red text to hear an Mp3 sample:  Durmo     “Durmo” is from my Cd  “Bamboo Music” and is a solo suling (bamboo flute) recording with the artist using circular breathing.

“Cotekan” is another amazing bamboo music cut.   Click on the red text to hear an Mp3 sample:  Cotekan

Patrol music group from Banyuwangi, Java

This is “Patrol  Music” from Eastern Java.  I went to the small town of Banyuwangi to record this excellent group.  Listen to the bamboo drums, low gong and various bamboo xylophone type instruments.

Here’s a solo instrumentalist playing a small bamboo xylophone instrument called tin click.  Note how each hand plays independent musical melodies.  This tune is titled “Manuk Nguci”.  Click on the red text to hear an Mp3 sample:  Manuk Nguci

Two players sitting at Tin Click instruments.

Explore new worlds of exotic world music with India Violin.

Artist: Indradeep Ghosh

Indradeep Ghosh was born in Kolkata.

He began playing violin at age 6 under the guidance of Sri Anamitra Mustafi. His studies continued with Prof. Smt. Sisirkana Dhar Chowdhury.

He also performed with maestros like Pt. V.G. Jog and Pt. Kumar Bose. His precise bowing technique creates fluid tones that soar heavenward. Indradeep has performed globally to amazed audiences.

Don’t miss India Violin.

One style that I discovered in Indonesia is called “Genjek”,  what I call vocal percussion music.  This certainly fits into the “exotic music” category.  Here’s what it sounds like: Adi Ayu Genjek

Here is some very strange sounding music from Japan.  This is called Gagaku and is ancient music from 589 A.D. or before.  This is Japanese classical court music whose origins goes back to China.  Check this out (from my Kotobuki Cd) :  Kitoku no kyu gagaku

In my own musical compositions I use exotic instruments and exotic rhythms.  Here’s an example that is in a very strange rhythm a slow 21 time or fast 42 beats.  See if you can count the 21 slow beats or the 42 fast ones. (from my cd Exotic Guitars): Hari 21

Chris invited me to his shop where I first saw his amazing Bass Tone Bars.  Basically this is a set of gigantic contra bass marimba bars individually mounted on a wood roll-around resonator.  The bars are so massive you can hit them really hard with huge mallets to create gigantic bass tones that set the house (windows and all) vibrating.  Chris brought them over for me to try out.  He also installed a piezo pick up on each bar.  I found that I could record several bars together with a high quality mic and also route the piezos for a crisp sound that is completely isolated.  Combining the two elements gave me fantastic sounds.  I immediately started to write music for them and recorded several cool tunes.  Here’s one of them:  Bass Tone Bar

Chris and I took them to a Remo drum circle to show them off and really got an enthusiastic response.  I was wanting to help Chris get the superb instruments out there.  I sent an e mail to Danny Elfman (I’d work with him briefly on a film).  He told me he was interested.  His assistant came over and was blown  by the sound.  Danny asked to borrow them…and well, that was that.  He bought them!  Fortunately Chris has another set for me, so I can continue my “deep bass” explorations.  Here is the site to check them out.  Chris Banta’s Bass Tone Bars

Chris Banta's Bass Tone Bars

Rangda

Rangda in full costume

Here is music I recorded inside a hindu temple during the Galunang festival.  This song is from my “Mystic Bali” Cd:  Monkey Temple Music

Mystic Bali Cd

I spent two weeks on Isla Margarita filming artists, musicians, fishermen and cooks.  I then flew to the town of Vijia (a jungle town) and then took a Mr. Toad’s wild bus ride up into the Andes mountains to Merida.  The cool andean weather was a nice relief to the steaming humidity of the island.  (more on that part of the trip later).  I just barely scratched the surface of Venezuela during one month.

Part of Isla de Margarita from the air.

Chuck Jonkey claps with cuatro player

A local lizard pet

Isla de Margarita sunset Juangriego beach

I began hearing the name “Erv Wilson” as a musical “master” whose concepts of musical tonal systems is unparalleled.  I had Scott Hackleman build my first guitar-sitar.  As we designed and worked on the instrument, Scott again mentioned Erv’s name.  It turned out Erv lived 20 feet away from Scott!   Scott introduced me to Erv and my sonic pallet began to expand.  I met other fine composers who also studied with Erv and created the most “far-out” music you’ll ever hear.  My good friend Stephen Taylor (himself a fantastic composer for film & TV) spent over 2 years filming and creating this astounding web site:   www.TheSonicSky.com

Click Here to watch a video about Erv Wilson’s Organic Scales.

You have to check this out.  Your musical ears will never be the same.

After my first amazon experience I transferred the night & day sounds into my studio and created an album “Rio Amazonas” that was composed from listening to the environmental sounds and creating my musical journey of the amazon using instruments from the region.   Here is one of the tracks:   Danza del Delfines

Some Amazon photos from my expeditions:

The dilruba usually has 4 main playing strings and 14 sympathetic  strings.  The bridge rests on goat skin that is attached to the instrument’s top.  The Dilruba was used in the Beatles “Sargent Pepper” album.  The instrument has a distinctive vocal-like quality that emotes tribal life in India.    Enjoy stellar, soaring voice-like melodies with “Dilbruba“.

Click here to listen to some of “Dilruba”:  Great Devotion       Evening Meditation part 2

Here is a listing of the tracks with the accompanying ragas:

1.  Great Devotion     (14:23)
Rag  Yaman -  teen tal  (evening rag) (16 beats)
2.  Mystic Sun Rays        (part 1)  (6:42)
Rag Shuddh Sarang  alap (noon rag)
3.  Mystic Sun Rays        (part 2) (12:41)
Rag Shuddh Sarang gat in rupak tal (7 beats)
4.  Sacred Moon Beams (7:54)
Rag Khamaj -  tal adha  (evening rag) (8 beats)
5.  Evening Meditation  (part 1) (4:18)
Rag Bagesree – alap (night rag)
6.  Evening Meditation  (part 2) (12:48)
Rag Bagesree   gat  teen tal                 (16 beats)
7.  Mountain Spirits  (7:16)
Rag Bhairavi – dhun  dadra tal (6 beats)

The Sonic Safari Music web pages for the Hog and Jungle Drums CDs have been updated. You can now purchase and download all the cuts of these fabulous CDs. Simply click on the music titles or CD covers to visit the web pages. Then click on the Buy MP3 links for each title. The best part is that the music is available for immediate download as soon as your payment is processed!

I purchased my set of bowls very carefully and brought them back into the country…they were very heavy in my back packs!  I spent a good deal of time exploring the sonic possibilities of these magical bowls and created my “Tibetan Singing Bowls” Cd that you’ll love.  I added environmental sounds I’ve recorded on my expeditions.  These sounds are perfect for meditation, relaxation, yoga and just creating an exotic sonic atmosphere.   I’m sure you’ll enjoy the Sonic Safari journey into your inner self.

Here are some Mp3 samples (click here):Tibetan Nocturne   Nepali Gompa   Ancient Spirits Sing

Here are a few mp3 samples for you: (click here to listen)  World of Fractals    Such a Strange Place    Deep Spheres

"Strange Worlds"

We went into the studio and I basically re-created the tracks I had recorded on Rio Amazonas.  The instruments I played were:  keyboards, sitar, tablas, tamboura, percussion and of course the sounds of the Amazon jungle I had recorded on one of my expeditions.  “Quietude” first appeared on the Cd :  “The Offbeat of the Avenues”    Happily they have performed the tune many times all over the world.  They recently did another version with  full orchestra that turned out fantastic.  Here are little snippets of the song.  I urge you to get the full Cds that have lots of great music.

Here’s the original track from my “Rio Amazonas”  Cd click here to play:  Encuentro de Animales

Here’s a little bit of Manhattan Transfers’ “The Quietude”:  The Quietude 

A little section of the same tune from “The Symphony Sessions”:  The Quietude symphony

The Howler monkeys are vocal in the early morning and as the sun sets.  I was in Costa Rica walking along a beach backed by dense jungle when a woman came running out claiming she’d hear a “Leopard”.  I listened and immediately identified the sound as Howler monkeys.  If you haven’t heard them you could certainly mistake their deep throaty call as that of a large jungle cat.

Here’s what they sound like:  click here to listen to Howler Monkeys    Sounds of the Amazon jungle at night: Amazon nights

Sounds of the Costa Rican rainforest:  Costa Rica

Here are some photos from my expeditions.

Amazon Nights Cd cover (Sonic Safari Music)

Costa Rican Rainforest on the Sonic Safari Music label

“Jungle Drums” features sounds of the rain forests of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru and Thailand.  I collected instruments in all of the places I’ve visited and have used them in this recording.  Log drums and bamboo flutes from the Amazon, ceramic ocarinas of the ancient Aztec & Mayas, seed shakers and all manner of percussion instruments make up the rhythmic part of this recording.

All of the instruments were played live (no loops) to give the true tribal feel that “Jungle Drums” is all about.

click here to listen to the cut titled:  Zebra

here’s another mp3 to listen to Jungle Strut

click here for another tune titles: Mozambique

Jungle Drums

Chuck Jonkey with drums

Jungle Drums back Cd cover

My music has been greatly influenced by these village musicians.  My CD “Mask Music” features lots of Indonesian musical instruments, including:  Balinese Gamelan, Javanese Gamelan, Suling & Gambuh flutes, lots of kendangs and other drums, many gongs and other musical elements.

click here to listen to Trance Dance

mask music from sonic safari music

In a small village in Central Java islamic women have created a wonderful style of music derived from their work as they pound rice.  The women use large wooden poles to hit the bottom and edges of a wooden canoe.  Their vocals talk of village life.

Islamic Women Rice Pounding music

click here to listen to this music  Kicir Kicir

Now check out Thai Kick Box Music.  This exotic music accompanies the matches at ring-side as the musicians play according to the action in the ring.

Kick Box Music from Sonic Safari music

click here to listen to Kickbox music Chock Muay

Genjek is what I call “vocal percussion”.  The song starts out with a single singer on the core melody  at a given cue the rest of the chorus kicks in with vibrant vocal rhythms that follow drum patterns.

Sadimara Genjek vocal percussion music of Bali

click here to listen  Sadimara

 
I arrived in Bali and went to the small village of Sading to consult with my good friend Buddha.  He brought a young man to his house and we discussed carving the guitar.  A few days later he presented me with a sketch that looked superb.   “Let’s do it” I said…and off he went to his little house to carve.  This amazing piece of art took over 1 month to carve using simple hand-made chisels.  After the final painting he presented it to me.  Wow!  I was just astounded.

 
I carefully transported the guitar body back to Glendale and enlisted my great friend Jimi Yamagishi ( a guitar tech master & great musician/composer).  Jimi then mapped out the holes for the electric pickup, controls and neck pocket (to attach the guitar neck).  Here is the final result.  I think it’s the “Coolest Guitar in the world”.

On another track I decided to create a heavy metal guitar tune using the cycle sounds as a percussion instrument along with drums, bass and crazy lead guitar.  Check out a little bit of this tune:  “Cruising Low”.

I think you’ll gain a better appreciation of this great motorcycle.

Primal Nights Mp3 click here to listen.                                     Cruising Low Mp3 click here to listen.

Exotic musical instruments!  That’s exactly what I love.  I’m always amazed by the myriad musical instruments created to express sound.  My Sonic Safari travels have certainly helped me experience a good number of these wonderful devices.

Several years ago I was deep in Mexico in a small village.  I walked into a local music store and began perusing the musical instruments.  I saw many of the more traditional Mexican instruments, like guitar, violin, guiro, maracas, trumpets and other stringed instruments.  I noticed a short, fat guitar-like instrument hanging on the wall.  It had a very wide short neck and 12 strings.  I assumed it would be a 12 string guitar, but I was very wrong.  I got closer to the instrument and notes very thick, heavy strings.

What is this thing?  I inquired of the owner and he told me it was a “Bajo Sexto”.   What is it used for?  He told me it was used in “Nortena Music” and sometimes Tex-Mex music.  It was basically a 12 string bass guitar!  That is so cool.  The instrument was tuned an octave lower than the regular 12 string guitar and it does have a very distinctive sound.  I walked out of the store with my first Bajo Sexto.  Of course the next thing to figure out is how to get it home….but that has never stopped me from purchasing a fantastic new musical instrument.

I got home and checked into the Nortena music and found that they usually just use the highest strings to play chords.  I felt that half of the instrument was unused…the better half.  Since then I have used the Bajo Sexto in lots of innovative ways.

My newest Cd  “Guitars of Light” (check it out at SonicSafariMusic.com) features several tunes with the Bajo Sexto.  I have included some of that music here for you.  I’m sure you’ll fall in love with the beautiful low tones it produces.  Click on the blue “Emerald Cliffs” to play an MP3

Click here to listen to an MP3 using the Bajo Sexto titled Emerald Cliffs

12 string bass guitar

bajo-sexto close up

Chuck Jonkey & Gamelan group

My exotic Sonic Safari world travels have taken me to some very strange places to document amazing events.  Here are just a few examples:   Recording a Ute/Navaho Peyote Ceremony inside a primitive tee pee,  Eating jungle rats in the Amazon where I  recorded sounds of the deep rainforest, Filming natives pounding on stalactites as they create echoing cave music in eastern Java, Participating in the passionate Kecak Monkey Dance of Indonesia and lots of other crazy experiences.

Most of my trips include strange situations in tiny villages far from tourist routes.

During such experiences I always find myself asking, “Is this a dream? Or is this really happening to me?”  Fortunately I’ve been able to make a living doing the things I love most…adventure travel & music.  My Sonic Safari music label is full of rare, magical audio recordings from these compelling adventures.

Some of my more exotic audio recordings include “Islamic Women Rice Pounders”(Indonesian women singing as they pound rice), “Russian Underground” (marvelous sounds of Mother Russia) , “Gnawa Abdul” (exotic Moroccan trance music), “Gender Wayang” (mysterious music of the Shadow Puppets)   “Jegog”  (forceful gigantic bamboo xylophone music) and “Maya Music” (haunting ritual music of Guatemalan Indians).  Fortunately I have filmed many of these sessions and am editing them together for a TV series titled  “Exotic Worlds”.  I currently have six episodes that are being viewed in several countries.  Former Adventurers’ Club president Allan Smith is producing these shows.

Try to imagine what its like to sit through these remarkable recordings in magical places around the world.  My work has required lots of sacrifices over the years to find cultural “nuggets” in very austere places, but it has been well worth the efforts, and has resulted in well over 100 recordings.  ( check them out here:  www.SonicSafariMusic.com)  Most of the locations I work in are quite rural with few amenities.  Each Cd recording has a trip full of unforgettable experiences behind it.

One of the terrific perks of my global musical “encounters” is learning about new and unique musical instruments.  My collection of rare, exotic musical instruments has grown enormously.  One-of-a kind, primal, handmade instruments like  gigantic bamboo xylophones, gongs, sitars, guchen, tambouras and drums of all types are used in my own musical compositions.   As I compose music I find that each of these distinctive   instruments contribute its own unique sound for a rainbow of colorful sonic possibilities, its like painting wild tropical colors onto a musical canvas to create something totally new and stimulating… its always a musical adventure!

Many of my recordings and compositions have been used in Hollywood productions.

Here’s just a few:  “Rambo IV”, “Beyond Borders”, “Nip & Tuck”, “Proof of Life”, “The Hoop Life”, “Mighty Joe Young”, “Super Structures of the World”, “Jade” , “Heaven & Earth”, “Fern Gully, The Last Rainforest”, “J.F.K.”, “The Doors” and lots more.

So a Sonic Safari to Hollywood is really not that far fetched!

This new Blog has more features and abilities. Now you will be able to share your favorite posts to Facebook, My Space, and many other social networking web sites.

How about the ability to read the Articles in your language of choice! The new Blog is equipped with GTranslate. This feature is able to translate between 58 languages!

Furthermore, a new Facebook page has been set up for Sonic Safari Music at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sonic-Safari-Music/130041110405761. You can now read the latest articles from the Sonic Safari Music Blog right from your Facebook wall! Simply visit the Sonic Safari Music Facebook page and click on “Like”

But most importantly, you will continue to read the same fine articles posted by Musician and Composer Chuck Jonkey.

Music of the Qechua Indians

This is the music you would have heard 500 years ago in the ancient Inca empire. Incredible, power music that will take you back to those ancient days.

Deep in the sacred valley of the Incas is the tiny village of Pisaq. It is located at the base of a huge mountain. The famous Inca ruins of Pisaq are on its summit.

I discovered a fantastic group of musicians playing the ancient Qechua music. Flutes, drums, shakers, conch shells & tribal chants send shivers up your spine! This is not a slick studio recording… this is the real thing. Recorded in a small village home, Inca music is beautifully primitive and untouched.

Experience the ancient world of the Inca with Inca Music.

Guitars of Light  & Other Strange Stringed Instruments

Welcome to an exotic world of Guitars (& other strange stringed instruments). The music here was inspired by my travels to distant lands and their amazing natural wonders.

The Instruments used on this CD include: Oud, Sitar, Surbahar, Dobro, Surbitar, Guitar/Sitar, Parrot (Dan Bau), Guchen, Lap steel, Setar, Charrango, Ukulele, Tamboura, Fretless bass, Jewari Bass, Bari-tone Classical & Electric guitars and many other acoustic and electric guitars (fretted & fretless).

Loads of ethnic percussion and drums were used: Dholak, Tablas, Kendang, Tarahumara Drum, Daf, Ceng Ceng, Gansa, Bonang , lots of shakers & more.

Don’t miss Guitars of Light & Other Strange Stringed Instruments.

The main plaza in most Latin american towns is the cultural center where lots of action happens.  I wasn’t disappointed and found lots of activity, including musical groups, story tellers, vendors of all types and even”snake oil” salesman.  I didn’t see any Jarocho group.   A great group of musicians was playing marimba music.  I waited for a break and spoke with them about the music scene there and asked who the best Jarocho player was.  Without hesitation he said Felipe Ochoa is his name.  He told me to go to a certain”mariscos” restaurant where he plays.  I found the place and asked for Felipe.  A short man dress all in white with a broad hat walked up and said he was Felipe.  I asked if he played Jarocho and he said “sure want to hear some?”  He pulled out a harp and started playing some of the most exciting music I’ve ever heard…Wow.  “That’s fantastic”.    Needless to say I made arrangements to record Felipe and his group.   Here’s the result:

I visited his shop during the carving process and saw him using all hand-made chisels in different shapes to make the delicate lines.  There is no wonder that wood carving artists in Bali are some of the best in the world.

Explore new worlds of exotic tribal music with Thai Folk Music.

Chuck Jonkey recorded this amazing authentic Thai music that features all acoustic hand-made instruments:

• The Saw – a bowed 2 string instrument with the body of a coconut;
• The Ranat Ek – a beautiful wood xylophone made in the shape of a Thai boat;
• The Ching – cool small hand cymbals that add a shimmer to the music;
• Klui – a long bamboo flute; and
• Thon Cha Tri – a very strong, powerful drum made from the trunk of a small tree.

Chuck traveled to northern Thailand to find this colorful, tropical music that takes you to the jungles of Thailand.

Don’t miss Thai Folk Music.

I was deep in central Java & was astonished as a local musician told me about cave music. He said that musicians pound on stalactites to make musical sounds! “WOW! This I’ve got to hear.” We drove hours through lush volcanic mountains & verdant jungles on brutally rough roads until we got to the caves “GUWO TABUHAN”.  It was a very small village whose main attraction was these cool caves.  It was hot outside, we were in a tropical jungle area but inside the lovely caves it was nice and cool.  As my eyes got adjusted I saw a couple of ladders propped up against these huge stalactites.  The musicians appeared and two of them climbed the ladders with large rubber mallets…this extraordinary music was about to begin.

Here’s a primitive – raw & extraordinary audio adventure. Four village men pound stalactites in the cave to create an amazing melodic, rhythmic background… a drummer then adds a brisk tribal beat. Add village women singing the local dialect and you’ve got an unforgettable experience. Be sure to check out the short audio samples on the Sonic Safari Music site (just click on the red dots when you get to the “Cave Music” cd page.)  http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/cavemusic/

It’s always an amazing journey to got to one of these places.  I almost have to pinch myself to make sure it is really happening…and not a dream!

Every year in Glendale, California there’s a charity event known as the “Love Ride”.  Up to 30,000 motorcycle riders (mostly on Harley Hogs) assemble for a ralley.  The streets are blocked off as the event kicks off and the sound is quite amazing… raw power!  I’m usually reminded of the day as I wake up to the earth-quake-like rumble of the motorcycles.  I’ve gone down and recorded those sounds.I decided to make an entire Cd based on the sounds of the Hog.  I included recordings of the “Love Ride” and recorded other bikes of friends.  On one occasion I had my head close to the motor as the engine idled.  The engine was warming up.  During the recording I heard an african rhythm…which gave me an idea.I built an audio track based on the sound and added african drums.  The track starts with an idling cycle and ends up with screaming african drums, tiger growls and sounds of the jungle!  I then decided to create additional musical tracks using the motor cycle as a rhythmic element.  The end result is my Cd:  ”Hog”.  If you ride or know someone who does, this is a totally unique recording they’ve got to hear.

Musicians:
Tarun Bhattacharya: Santur
Subir Ray: Bansuri
Prasenjeet Poddar: Tabla
Chuck Jonkey: Percussion, Bass, Keyboards

Visit http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/india/ and get your copy today.

A couple of years ago I was invited to a tiny village where an extremely valuable collection of sacred masks was being brought out and blessed.  There were many Hindu priests and devotees who carefully cleaned and handled the masks.  I saw an older gentleman openly weep when he picked up one of the masks… as if it were a symbol of deity itself.

There were also famous dancers from the region who were invited to perform dances that these masks were made for.  Of course all of the participants prayed and were blessed by the priest before each performance.I was amazed by the devotion displayed by all of the people.  Villagers of all ages attended the ceremony.

A wonderful group of musicians performed the traditional music for each dance with great vitality.  I was able to film all of this and was grateful to witness this amazing scene.  Some dances are truly “trance dances” where the performer takes on the spirit from the mask to tell stories and convey messages to those watching.  In one case a few weeks ago I was in an isolated village in Bali and witnessed such a trance dance.  The evil witch “Rangda” appeared and was obviously deep in trance.  He carried a handkerchief  in his left hand… he charged into a crowd of people at the temple and anyone who was touched by the handkerchief instantly fell down into a trance and had to be carried out  to the priest to calm them down and bring them “back to earth”…it was pretty wild.

I do have some woodworking skills but found out that making a marimba bar is a daunting task.  First of all I wasn’t able to match the wood.  One lumber yard thought it was some kind of mahogany.  I did purchase mahogany and began to form the bars.  The bars need to be suspended on a node.  There are two points on the bar that this occurs towards the end.  On the internet I found several mathematical formulas to calculate this but in the end found the easiest way:  just suspend the bars on two strings and pour salt on the bars and start tapping… the salt forms two straight lines at the node points!

The next and most critical part of making a marimba bar is tuning it.  This is really the hard part.  Of course you need a very accurate tuner but there are different parts of the bar that need to be tuned.  The first and second overtones are one octave apart (that’s the basic pitch of the bar), but the third overtone is also important and occurs at a different point.  Well my efforts got me close.

I was able to find the man who made the instrument:  Chris Banta.  He is really a master maker and a great guy.  He came over and instantly recognized the instrument (it was built in the 80′s)    He offered to take the instrument and make a complete new set of bars.   This is the result.  A fantastic instrument that will be used in lots of new compositions.  Here is a photo of the newly updated instrument and the master craftsman  Chris Banta.

I just returned from another wonderful exotic Sonic Safari expedition.  This time I was in Indonesia.  I witnessed Hindu temple ceremonies, trance dances, cremation ceremonies…and even filmed  a “Tooth Filing Ceremony” that all good Hindus experience at some point during their lives.Over the years I have filmed and recorded lots of fascinating scenes around the world.  I am starting to put short video clips of these on You Tube.  If you search using my name:  Chuck Jonkey you’ll find lots of amazing video clips.  Here is a photo of me with a stellar group of Joged musicians.  Joged is beautiful bamboo xylophone music.

The gnawa are an ethnic group of the sufi religious order, descended from slaves of the Sub-Sahara region of Africa.  Large groups of slaves were brought across the Sahara in the late 1500’s.Gnawa music is very powerful and is used in healing rituals and with trance dances.We found Youseff in his tiny shop, he was really happy and excited to see me.  I presented him with a Cd of his music from my previous visit.  He invited us to a special festival deep in the Atlas mountains.  The trip would last a week.  In a couple of days we met Youseff early one morning to start our journey. We took a local bus to the costal town of Essaouria.  Here we met other Gnawa musicians who invited us to stay in their house right on the walls of the medina next to the ocean.  One evening I recorded Youseff playing the Gimbri (a 3-stringed bass instrument… it’s a camel skin covered box with a wood poll for a neck.  The strings are made from Sheep gut).  The music was soulful and stimulating.

We continued our journey through Casablanca and on to Meknes.  I almost got arrested the second day while I filmed the medina wall and surroundings.  A man walked up to me and asked if I was “filming the secret police”.  He carried a gun and demanded to see the footage I had taken.  I complied and was eventually let go with a warning.

A few days later Youseff took us up into the mountains to the tiny village of Sidi Alit to witness the gnawa festival.  The streets were packed with locals in tribal dress.  We were the only westerners there.  Hundreds of villagers crammed the streets in a very festive atmosphere.  Strange religious icons were being sold including dried chameleons and other weird animal parts.   People visited a sacred mausoleum while women offered sacrifices in a gully below us (spilling the blood of sheep & chickens) to find a husband or increase their fertility! Huge groups of people were dancing in the streets and playing drums.  We took refuge in an outdoor cafe while a large group of people passed by dragging two goats to be sacrificed. They were playing loud music and dancing wildly. I took my camera out to film, but immediately a number of men pointed at me quite agitatedly to put the camera away.  The craziness continued late into the night.  Another wild adventure on my trip to Morocco.

Sonic Safari Music

Thanks for your Support.

If you like the free MP3, here is the link to the Jungle Drums CD:  http://sonicsafarimusic.com/music/jungledrums/

A few weeks ago, I happened to be at a local art library… Brand library in Glendale.  I was browsing their DVDs and saw one on the life of Les Paul.  I watched it and was amazed at what an innovator he really was.  Not only was he a superb guitarist…but he came up with the concept of multi-track recording and was the first to actually develop it. He also came up with the first solid body guitar design to facilitate hearing a guitar in the context of a loud jazz band.  He played with many of the greatest  musicians and composers of his time.  He was still playing weekly at a Jazz club at the age of 90, when the documentary was made.  I was sad to hear that he passed away just 2 weeks after I saw the documentary. Here’s the link to this excellent DVD: http://www.lespaulfilm.com/

Chuck Jonkey travels the world to bring new and exciting music for the Sonic Safari Music label. Every Album is full of new and exciting sounds. His purpose is to arouse your senses with breathtaking music. Chuck is a musician/composer and adventurer who loves recording and filming lost and endangered cultures. He wants to share these experiences with you by creating exciting audio and visual products – CDs and DVDs.  If you’re looking for peaceful music, music for healing, music to stretch your imagination, you have come to the right place.

The new Sonic Safari Music Blog will keep you up-to-date with the latest happenings at Sonic Safari Music along with a behind the scenes look at the music. Chuck Jonkey will also share his experiences while discovering new and exotic music. You will also be allowed to post comments and questions on this blog.

So let’s discover exotic music and new vistas of world music, world beat, meditation music, yoga music, romance music, soothing music and music for relaxation. Let Sonic Safari Music be your source for space music, electronic music, tribal music and new age music. Experience healing music, soundscapes, nature sounds, folk music and even Harley sounds. I have traveled millions of miles to bring you indigenous music, Amazon sounds, African music, Asian music, primitive music, ritual music, drums and even dinosaur sounds! Chuck is dedicated to bringing you the greatest music on earth. You’ll be fascinated by Tahiti music, Inca music, Sci Fi music, Jungle music, Jungle drums, Native American music, Latin music, Thai music, Indian music and much much more.

To start your adventure, simply go to www.sonicsafarimusic.com.