Rainforest Aid 2009: Musicians

Musicians & Performers Playing RFA09

Friday thru Sunday’s live music line- up includes musicians from all over the world, and many more are joining us as we speak. Blues, Jazz, Rock and local music from Costa Rica will fill the air on the Osa Peninsula this June 2009.

Manuel Obregón
Genre: World Jazz
Country: Costa Rica

An intense desire to experiment has led Manuel Obregón down the paths of theater, cinema, and dance. Jazz has been his platform for musical ideas, and the best vehicle for connecting with nature and with traditional musicians.

Simbiosis and the Papaya Orchestra are two of Obregón's greatest achievements in a career replete with concerts in Europe and America, research, recordings and the creation of the Papaya Music label.

Born in San José, Costa Rica, on October 4, 1961, Obregón began playing piano at the age of seven. After graduating from the University of Costa Rica Conservatory, he went on to study at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, and at the Swiss Jazz School in Berne, Switzerland.

Obregón has been successful at achieving a synthesis between academic formation, tradition and experimentation, an evolution that can be traced in his 14 solo recordings and in the various music groups he has formed, including Afro Cosmos, Cahuita, the Sporadic Jazz Quintet, Gospel Caribe, the Papaya Orchestra and Malpaís.

His introduction to international acclaim, the DVD production of Simbiosis with images by moviemaker José Cortés (2004) creates a profound impact, both as video and as live concerts in which Obregón's piano appears in the midst of the forest.

Click the Play Button to Hear
the New RFA'09 Radio Spot! 

Igni Feroque
Legendary Costa Rican rock group formed in the late 1970's by the one and only...Roberto Ruiz, aka Ferroque... long time band members include Brett Steven Harter, guitars, Fernando Alvarado, drums, Mauricio Rojas, drums. Marcelo Galli, drums, Alex Cordero, vocals, Carlos Pardo, keys and bass, Emiliano Arriaga, bass, Susan Blair, vocals, Carlos Murray, bass, more recently, Alberto Duran, bass, and over the years other Costa Rican greats like, Miriam Jarquin, vocals, Gerardo Mora, drums, Manuel Obregon, keys, Cheko Davila, sax, and Alberto Chotocruz, bass, Johnny Soto, drums, Moises Guido, guitar, and Argentine Barbara Cuello, Silvia Rojas...vocals have all shared the stage with Brett and Roberto over the many years... Igni Ferroque has always composed and played original hard rock music in Spanish... One of the first bands to break the mold and toss aside the cover songs 30 years ago!!!

THE BAND TODAY
Maf Saenz - lead vocals
Robert Ferroque Ruiz- vocals guitars
Brett Steven Harter - guitars
Alberto Shaolin Duran - bass
Mauricio Rojas - drums

Akasha
Akasha (name comes from ancient Celt - meaning the source of energy that keeps beings alive), the band was born in the year 2000 by guitarist Emmanuel Sotela and ex-singer Leonardo Barboza,and has had a long and positive evolution throughout the years, exploring alternative rock, to grunge, metal and progressive styles to the current style, which is our definite sound, that lingers from Alternative Nu Metal, to Hard Rock.

By mid 2004 Leo had left the band and in came Julio Najera to replace vocal duties on the band, and soon after bassist Alonso C. and drummer Alonso Z(now in the boston band Delta Waves) left the band to study music in USA. With this came new bass player/2nd singer Mauni V. into the band that provided a modern sound and a second voice to the band, and soon after came Narayan B. with his kick ass drumming and finished giving Akasha the twist it had been yearning for!! the lineup is now complete!

2006 was a very big year for the band, because they recorded their first full length independent album titled ¨Descriptar¨. It was recorded and produced by Jesse Alvarado (sonic response productions from LA) here in Costa Rica, Audio Arte studios, and was mixed by Jesse in Los Angeles in Sonic Response Productions, and mastered by Jesse in World Class Audio in LA.
Akasha is currently promoting the album and their 1st single called ¨Cartas Marcadas¨ which is playing on the main rock stations in Costa Rica,and their video for the song is also enjoying very good airplay in the music channels in the country.

YouTube Video:

Current Lineup
Bob - Guitars
Julio - Vocals
Nara - Drums
Mauni - Bass
Emma - Guitars

The Revolution Project / Andrew Walter Allen
The Revolution Project Band is a jam band that delivers a powerful message of hope, love, and unity through an original and eclectic mix of rhythms and sounds. After several solo albums, singer/songwriter Andrew Walter Allen has connected with a phenomenally talented group of musicians and performers, creating The Revolution Project Band. Zahrah Raay gives heartfelt spoken word, and paints incredible visual interpretation to many of the songs through explosive and passionate dance. The Revolution Project Band has a knack for drawing audience participation inviting spontaneous group singing, dancing, and percussion jams. The musicians in the band each play various instruments and enjoy freedom through the journey of the music. The Revolution Project Band is a fountain flowing from The Revolution Project non-profit, whose mission is to motivate and facilitate young people toward self-discovery and global consciousness through love in action. The philosophy is simple...surrender to the Most High. For more information about the music, or the Project, including the internship program, go to
www.AndrewWalterAllen.com, and www.TheRevolutionProject.org

There is a revolution taking place.
The battleground is the heart.
The victory is love.
The way to victory is to surrender

Mudcat Blues Band The blues is a universal feeling that transcends languages, social status and the constraints of musical genre. DANNY "MUDCAT" DUDECK knows that feeling intimately. He travels the globe spreading his version of the blues gospel and regularly works with a number of international blues-preservation organizations. Lucky for us, he gets back to town most weeks to play the tiny Northside Tavern. Whether performing solo, leading a smokin' band or a tight, one-off jam session with a founding father or a group of novices, his soulful and emotive delivery evokes images of the hard times that fed the early blues pioneers. And Mudcat's Bayou-baked, chicken-party revues can make even the most jaded music fan happy to be blue.

www.mudcatblues.com

DubCity Renegades

DubCity Renegades is a four piece roots reggae band out of Northern Virginia. Their unique mix of jazz and rock elements gives their music a fresh and unique east coast sound. The band is composed of Rosshan Monroe on sax, Andrew (Dr. Dub) Myers on drums, (Jah Bon) Larsen with the bass lines, and Justin Pietro skankin' on the guitar. United in values of respect, friendship, and their love of music, the four create jams that soothe the soul, make you want to move your feet, and create a soundtrack for the journey we are all on.

The band is currently recording their first EP through DubCity Records, the label founded by Andrew Myers to record and promote artists who share a similar ideology about music. DCR's EP is scheduled to release in early summer 2009. DCR is currently working with multiple local and national vocalists in search of the perfect fit as well as looking to add keys into the mix. DCR has also worked with or have been invited to work with the following local, national, and international artists: Amha Baraka, Poor Man's Lobster, Urban Scientific, Fairgrounds, Lucky Dub, and Richs Bone Funk amongst others. Catch DCR on their tour this summer as they travel up and down the east coast starting in May spreading the reggae vibe.

RAPOSO

New York-based rock band RAPOSO is destined to brand their stamp on America’s legendary rock-and-roll lineage. Supported by an international fanbase, RAPOSO is on constant demand to tour. Recognizing the everyday struggles of the millennial generation, RAPOSO’s songs address every listener as though written just for them. “Music defines who I am; it’s
been the one constant in my life,” says front man Greg Raposo. “There are people in our audience who come to the show because they find sense of community through our music, and I love that we share that.” The sense of universality in RAPOSO’s music comes in large part from Greg’s keen lyrical insights and memorable melodies. His command of a crowd is undeniable and his stage presence is often compared to Bruce Springsteen. Greg's rich voice cuts through the screams of his audiences with authority – heart wrenching and smooth in RAPOSO’s powerful ballads; invigorating and anthemic in their arena-rock song – Greg’s vocals are delivered with pure emotion that can only come with years of experience.

More Music Groups Playing RFA '09 - Bio's Coming Soon!

BTF	Govinda
Utopia	Riots of Eighty
Kohabit	Evolucion

Updated Live Music and Event information for
Costa Rica RainforestAid 2009 Music Festival!

Rainforest Aid Special Events
and Guest Speaker Lineup:

ROCKIN THE RAINFOREST An In Rock We Trust/Big Cat Production *June 18th - Latino Rock Cafe San Jose: with Evolucion/Akasha/Raposo/Before The Fall/Jaded *June 15th Club - Sugar Quepos: with Kohabit /Riot of Eighty/Utopia/Before The Fall If you're in the San Jose area don't miss these exciting shows! *RFA Festival Passes do not include access to these San Jose shows.

Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Click for a larger image

Purchase Your
Festival Passes Online Here!

All musicians currently on the venue and new musicians interested in joining RFA09, and willing to play at this event for free should contact -

Global Entertainment / Production Manager for RainforestAid09 in Costa Rica

Bruce LaPierre
168 S. Quinsigamond Ave.
Shrewsbury, Ma. 01545
508-755-8015
globlentrtanment@aol.com