The Buddhahood
The Buddhahood is more than just a band. It is a multi-rooted, polyphonic, highly creative and entertaining group that takes rhythms beyond their natural frontiers and creates music too innovative and varied to be labeled. This nine piece worldternative concoction has many flavors such as rock, reggae, funk, calypso, ska, blues, jazz, zydeco, groove and more. Their all-original songs are a weaving of endless sonic curiosity and intense rhythmic drive with instrumentation such as guitar, bass, drums, a full horn section, pan drums, three percussionists and multiple vocalists.
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. All this variety and craziness contributes to a dynamically colorful, electric show that attracts audiences 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.
The Buddhahood has been performing and recording for more than a decade. They began in Rochester, NY in 1997 with “Rub the Buddha” and recorded, “Welcome,” in 1999, the city’s first interactive CD by a musical group. The band back then was pure groove power with a large focus on keyboard and guitar with mostly two singers; since then, there have been many incarnations of The Buddhahood, many more performances and multiple recordings – their latest, “Toasty” and “Muddy Roots” with one more on the way in 2010. After losing their founder and primary song writer, Tony Cavagnaro, in an auto accident in 2007, The Buddhahood stays true to its roots and continues to create and perform a bigger and better show.
Instrumentation
> Dan Keller – Guitar, Alto Sax, Voc
> Rick Whitney – Bass, Jembe, Voc
> Peet Mugnolo – Drums, Percussion, Voc
> David Ferreira – Steel Drums, Bari Sax, Percussion, Banjo, Voc
> Gabe Costanzo – Trumpet, Percussion
> Courtney Balles – Alto sax, Flute, Percussion, Voc
> John Laurette – Tenor Sax
> Paul Hansen – Congas, Surdo, Washboard, Percussion
> Paul Mastriani – Percussion, Surdu
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