The Buddhahood
Multi-instrumental members of The Buddhahood cook up a frothing pot of ideas in which diverse musical influences converge in the creation of tunes with innovation, nuance, and pure groove power. The band’s original style has been coined “Worldternative,” so within this music, audiences will hear reggae, calypso, samba, afro-beat, funk, blues, and rock in any given performance. Along with multiple vocalists, the instrumentation includes multi-percussion, a full horn section, steel drums, bass, drums, and guitar.
All their variety and craziness contributes to a dynamically colorful, electric show that attracts an audience as eclectic as the band itself. You can never expect the same thing at any two shows. What you can expect is a performance full of surprises, many dancing bodies, perspiration, elevated heart rates, and creative tunes that are as uplifting spiritually and emotionally as they are physically.
Known for blurring the imaginary line at the edge of the stage, The Buddhahood becomes one with the audience in a bewitching frenzy of unstoppable vibration and elemental harmony. “We let the music play us,” reminding us that everything is connected. The Buddhahood is currently in the studio recording their album which will be released in 2009. Their latest 2007 release – double live disc “Toasty,” is a testament to their late great founder and friend, Tony Cavagnaro.
The Buddhahood continues its rebirth in the paths presented in which the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts, after two years of soul searching and restructuring, writing new songs and performing, the band’s creative sparks have turned to flame and the train continues with full steam.
Instrumentation
David Ferreira – Steel Drums, Bari Sax, Jembe, Voc
Paul Hansen – Congas, Surdo, Percussion
Gabe Costanzo – Trumpet, Voc
Courtney Balles – Alto sax, Flute, Jembe, Voc
Rick Whitney – Bass, Jembe, Voc
Peet Mugnolo – Timbales, Percussion, Voc
Bob Olson – Guitar, Voc
Paul Mastriani – Percussion
Discography
Rub the Buddha 1997
Welcome 1999
Live at Park Ave 2002
Live at Park Ave 2004
Live at the German House 2005
Muddy Roots 2006
Toasty: Live @ Park Ave Fest 2007 (2-disc Live CD)
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City Newspaper Archives 1-2006: Frank DeBlase“
“And now there’s Muddy Roots: a new album that took the band three years to make. It’s undoubtedly the ‘Hood, but the band has augmented its sound with sharp horn accents, Caribbean spice (thanks to the steel drum), and a laidback lean on the one-drop. There’s even a little dash of Neville-style Big Easy spice in there as well. It sounds big and bold, casual and free. The polyrhythmic drums are still there, but in its maturity The Buddhahood is now, well, poly-everything.”
Freetime Magazine, Words and Music by Michelle Picardo Nov 9 21, 2007
“We were lucky enough to get an advance listen to “Toasty” the jam filled, groove busting, reggae fusion, world beat collage of fun that the Buddhahood has always laid claim to, with Tony’s vocals taking front and center, leading the audience on a magic ride.”
City newspaper –Best of 2007, 2008 and 2009, Arts and Entertainment; Rochester, NY
Voted “Best Original band – the Buddhahood”
Voted “Best Band name – the Buddhahood”
“Live, the band is all-consuming and primal in the extreme. There is no resisting this throbbing, world-beat extravaganza.”…Frank DeBlase
Freetime Magazine – Words and Music by Michelle Picardo December 2006 and 2007
“The Buddhahood – Muddy Roots” – top ten album of 2006
“The Buddhahood – Toasty” – top ten album 2007
Related Topics: Band, Bios, Courtney, Dave, Gabe, Members, Paul, Rick, Uncategorized