Tuvan Ensemble Alash Returns to the U.S. in March 2009

The Tuvan throat-singing ensemble Alash returns to the United States in March for a spring tour. They will begin in Texas, where they will participate in the popular South by Southwest (SXSW) 2009 Music Festival. They will then swing up through New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and Pennsylvania, and wrap up their tour in Wisconsin.

Two years ago, Alash caught the ear of Béla Fleck, who invited the group to record a few tracks with the Flecktones for an upcoming holiday album. The CD, Jingle All the Way, was released last fall and it recently won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental recording. Alash’s contributions to the album include the American favorite “Jingle Bells” sung in overtones, and an unusual pairing of the traditional Tuvan song “Dyngyldai” with the classic English Christmas carol “What Child Is This?” Last December, Alash toured with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones to promote the CD.

For this tour, traditional Tuvan music will be the focus, with a couple of interesting exceptions. Alash will collaborate with avant-garde jazz musicians in Brooklyn, and an old-time string band in Ithaca. In addition, they will conduct workshops at colleges and schools to introduce young Americans to the remarkable art of Tuvan throat singing.

For the complete tour schedule, visit http://www.alashensemble.com/performances.htm

To sample their music, visit http://www.alashensemble.com.