Oriental Mood won the contest for best world music band in Denmark in 1999. The band Mood has a very broad experience, allowing it to play classical Turkish/Arabic music in one moment , and Afro-Arabic or Balkan-inspired in the next. In Oriental Mood, elements from musical traditions of Turkey, Balkan, Kurdistan, Morocco, Egypt and India blend together with western music-styles, creating their own special “world sound”.
Oriental mood was formed in 1991 and has been touring in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Holland, Italy and Egypt.
Lars Bo Kujahn started as a fusion jazz drummer, but soon took interest in Balkan -and Middle Eastern music. He lived for many years with one leg in Copenhagen and the other in Cairo, where he learned Arabian drumming. He also learned how to play the Arabian harp: qanun.
Claus Mathiesen plays clarinet and has roots in experimental rock and Balkan-music. He started playing Middle Eastern music when he got in contact with Turkish musicians in the beginning of the eighties. He studied and traveled in Turkey and the Balkans. Mathiesen frequently performs with Turkish singer Fuat Saka.
Frank Juul is one of the few westerners who really learned how to play the Indian tabla. He studied art during a five years stay in Benares, India. In Oriental Mood, he transfers the Indian playing-techniques to the middle-eastern rhythms. He also plays with Fuat Saka Band.
Marco Spallanzani is a fusion jazz guitarist with a big love for world music. He´s educated at the rhythmic conservatory of Copenhagen. He plays saz (Turkish lute) as well.
Niels Lichtenberg is a new member of the band. He plays bass and is a specialist in Brazilian and Latin music. Educated at the rhythmic conservatory ofi Copenhagen.
Yasar Tas is a Turkish Kurd with a big passion for eastern world music. He plays saz, ud, zurna, nay and percussion.
Discography:
Their Greatest Hits Plus 2 (United One Records, 1999)
Muktalef – Different (Gateway Music, 2007)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
