Violinist Larry Deming comes to Munga Music as a musical Renaissance man: composer, band leader, classical musician, side man, teacher, and recording artist.

Equally at home playing in the Danbury Symphony Orchestra (as the Concertmaster), fiddling a bluegrass hoe down or a Middle Eastern Belly Dance tune, Larry's musicianship knows no boundaries. He plays with a masterful virtuosity that has landed him gigs with the likes of Chet Atkins, John Denver, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, James Taylor, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and the alt.bluegrass outfit HOE, among many others. He has also released a cd on Orchard Hill Records, "Mythos".

For Larry's forthcoming release on Munga Music, "A Journey to the East", he has turned for inspiration to the musical sounds and traditions from Asia Minor/Southeastern Europe to the Far East. The program begins with "Skolion of Seikelos", a theme passed down through time from Ancient Greece. It is followed by an original composition, "Journey to the East", which represents the journey through time and across a continent. The music then takes the listener through modern Greece ("Karagouna"), Turkey ("Halay"), and the Middle East ("Mr Dumbek To You", the sensuous Belly Dance "Linda"). Then "Monkey", the mythical character from Chinese folklore, makes his appearance before the musical portraits of "India", Thailand ("Isaan"), "Korea", and "Japan" fill out the program.

Musicians joining Larry on the project are Alison Breisler (violin), Jordan Jancz (cello & bass), Dave Savitsky (alto sax), and Matt Moadel (dumbek, tabla, drums, percussion). Producer Dick Neal sits behind the board with engineer Pete Szymanski.

Look for "Journey to the East" to be released officially September 1 2005.

You can purchase this disc at music-z.com.

JUDD FULLER

The multi-talented JUDD FULLER will release his first solo cd, GROCERY STORE ROSES, in May 2005. It will be an all-acoustic collection of songs written by Judd. He also covers a PETER WOLF composition. The tracks lean in the direction of bluegrass with a nod to other traditional American styles. In addition to writing the tunes, Judd sings lead and plays mean guitar on each as well.

You can purchase this disc at music-z.com.