River Guerguerian has been inspiring audiences with his ecstatic and versatile percussion for over 25 years. Whether playing with world-class symphonies or studio musicians, partnering with Grammy-award winning composers, or creating dynamic plays of rhythm for his own projects, River’s passion and attention to the vibrant life of the drum reverberates throughout the crowd.
Born in Canada of Armenian-Egyptian extraction, River’s successful and prolific career started at an early age. In 1989, he received his Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music Conservatory and graduated with the school’s award for Most Outstanding Percussionist.
In 1988, he began creating works with Grammy and Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun. Over the next several years he continued to tour with other artists performing in concert halls in Tokyo, Moscow, Rome, Berlin, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, London, including such renowned venues as Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Lincoln Center.
In 1994, River sold all his possessions, left civilization for five years, and lived in a wildlife sanctuary in the Himalayas. The raw power of nature initiated intense research and experimentation into the physiological effect of sound on brainwaves states. River continued his investigations into trance-inducing instrumentation as he traveled to different cultures learning unique methods and techniques.
Drawing on this diverse background, River plays all genres of music pulling original sound from Frame Drums, Middle Eastern and Afro-Cuban percussion, Drumset, Marimba, Tabla, Kanjira, Cajon, Gongs, Singing Bowls, Loopers, and various found objects. His compositions have been commissioned and performed by chamber ensembles, universities, modern dance companies, and new music festivals.
As a studio musician, he has recorded on over 120 albums and film soundtracks, including John Cage's documentary film, “I Have Nothing to Say and I Am Saying It”. He has also performed and/or recorded with such groups as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, New Music Consort, Tibetan Singing Bowl Ensemble, Paul Winter Consort, Talujon Percussion Ensemble, Chuck Berry, Sophie B. Hawkins, and Ziggy Marley/Gipsy Kings.
A respected music educator, he conducts rhythm and sound exploration workshops, and enjoys teaching privately.
Since 1999, River has been living in the mountains of Asheville, NC with his wife and three daughters. He travels internationally with Turkish master musician Omar Faruk Tekbilek. You can also hear his lyrical style with his world fusion jazz trio Free Planet Radio and his solo project The River Guerguerian Experience.
Visit him at www.ShareTheDrum.com
“Guerguerian’s
composition, sensationally performed, devoted itself even more religiously
to the possibilities of pure sound.”
—The
New York Times
River Guerguerian - Musician, percussionist, composer and educator.
4 Brookcliff Drive, Asheville, NC 28804
828-301-6605
riverhumm@yahoo.com
Paul Guerguerian, musician, percussion, percussionist, multi-percussionist, music instructor, recording studio, frame drum, doumbek, riq tambourine, drum teacher, omar faruk tekbilek, tar, middle eastern percussion, tibetan singing bowl
River Paul Guerguerian, musician, percussion, percussionist, multi-percussionist, music instructor, recording studio, frame drum, doumbek, riq tambourine, drum teacher, omar faruk tekbilek, tar, middle eastern percussion, tibetan singing bowl
River Paul Guerguerian, musician, percussion, percussionist, multi-percussionist, music instructor, recording studio, frame drum, doumbek, riq tambourine, drum teacher, omar faruk tekbilek, tar, middle eastern percussion, tibetan singing bowl
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