JOHNSTON CENTER EVENTS

Mowgli is a synthesis of acousitc and electric rock backed by hand-percussion. Sets consist of mostly originals, but occasionally contain a Mowglified cover. Come prepared to dance!

Philip Pledger sings and plays the acoustic guitar. He both plays covers as well as writes original music.

Mamadou Diabate is a world-renowned kora player. The kora (a West African lute-harp with 21 strings stretching from a long neck to a resonating gourd) is one of the world’s most demanding instruments. Aside from mastering a huge repertoire, a journeyman player must develop extreme physical dexterity and the ability to inhabit multiple musical dimensions simultaneously. Solo performances on the instrument are especially revealing; only the greatest performers can survive such close scrutiny. Mamadou Diabate’s combination of fiery melodic improvisation, inexorable rhythmic precision, and ringing tone is a revelation. This performance is cosponsored by the Diversity Incentive Fund from the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.

Guitarist/singer/songwriter Nicholas Alexsovich plays originals influenced by older British Folk and newer alt-country. This week's performance will be from 1-2 p.m. rather than 12-2 p.m.

Jorge Izquierdo performs primarily folk and jazzy rock on acoustic guitar, with occasional blues tunes. He has classical guitar training, and in his performances he mixes this training with rock, folk, and blues singing.

Erin Westone also sings and plays acoustic guitar. Her voice has been compared to Nickel Creek's Sara Watkins.

Jorge Izquierdo will perform from 12-1 p.m., and Erin Westone will perform from 1-2 p.m.

Nagi Hilal is a composer and an Oud player born in Lebanon into a musically gifted family. From an early age he was exposed to Lebanese and Arabic music, and at the age of six he started to teach himself the Oud. Come listen to Nagi Hilal and learn more about Middle-Eastern music.

UNC Undergraduates under the direction of James Ketch from the Department of Music. This week's performance will be from approximately 12:15 to 1:45 p.m.

Cool jazz and hot pop standards performed by UNC's own Steve Allred, Holden Thorp, and friends. This week's performance will be from 12-1:30 p.m. rather than 12-2 p.m.

Members of the Carolina Indian Circle perform a variety of tunes including southern gospel, traditional and gospel hymns, Native songs, and contemporary music. ***This week's performance has been CANCELED

Singularity, as the name implies, is unlike any other jazz group in the Triangle. This instrumental group plays jazz standards, folk melodies, pop songs, blues, international tunes, original compositions and more, all with compelling, world beat rhythms and smooth improvisations. Pianist Erich Lieth lays the rhythmic and harmonic framework, into which percussionist Drew Pilant magically weaves an intricate rhythmic soundscape using Indian tabla drums, bongos, conga, bells, shakers, kalimba, chimes and other instruments. Over this base, saxophonist Lisa Lindsay skillfully layers instrumental solos that are sometimes vibrantly exuberant and at other times simple and lovely. Lisa’s major musical influence is straight-ahead jazz, although she also loves salsa, funk, R&B, and Afro-Beat.

Sudha Iyer has had four years of formal training in sitar in the North Indian classical style of music from Hamid Hussain of Baltimore, MD. Although her profession is in the field of toxicology, she has pursued music as a hobby for many years. Even though her first love is Indian classical music, she also enjoys experimenting with other forms of music. To date she has played with Japanese, Western, Middle Eastern and African ensembles. In addition to performing in various cities in the U.S., she also teaches sitar.

Sudha Iyer will be joined by John Heitzenrater on sarod and Wiley Arnold Sykes on tabla. On sarod, John Heitzenrater is a product of the celebrated Maihar-Allaudin Gharana, which traces its lineage to Mian Tansen, court musician of Akbar the Great and the principle progenitor of modern Hindustani classical music. He studied sarod with Pandit Rajeev Taranath, distinguished disciple of Maestro Ali Akbar Khan and one of the world's leading exponents of the sarod, and studied tabla with Lucknow Gharana Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri. Wiley Arnold Sykes is versed in the drumming traditions of India, West Africa, American jazz and Western classical music. A founding member of the Philidor Percussion Group, Mr. Sykes has presented chamber ensemble concerts, workshops and educational programs through much of the US.

This performance is cosponsored by the Diversity Incentive Fund from the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.

The cool spring air was flowing when Run of the Mill started in the spring of 2004. Mandolin player and singer-songwriter, Ben Parker, met banjo virtuoso, Ben Walters. There was an immediate musical spark, as they shared similar drive and interest, enjoyed all genres of music, and could trace their roots to one style: bluegrass. The band only evolved further when Robbie Di’Mauro, Tim Shelburne, and Sam Gingher entered the tale. The story goes on and on, with the musical mixing of pop, funk, bluegrass, rock and jazz. Run of the Mill was born, as was taking musical traditions to a whole new level. They continue to be inspired by the musical greats, and hold onto soothing sounds rooted in musical complexity… they only hope you can join them in their tale. For more information on the band, visit their website at www.runofthemillband.com

Fullproof is an acoustic rock band from Pittsburgh. The band consists of Donnie Morris on drums and percussion, Tyler Benson on Bass, Jeff Scheuring on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, and Grant Scheuring on lead guitar and backing vocals. Fullproof has opened for: Dishwalla, The Buzz Poets, Seventh House, The Pushstars, Strangeway, Blessed Union of Souls, New Invisible Joy, Jill Sobule, Lizzie West, Feel Band, Pagewater, and Brad Yoder. The band currently receives regular airplay in the Tri-state area. For more information on the band, visit their website at http://www.fullproof.info.

Matt Hersh's vocal and acoustic guitar performances are of an eclectic style with rock, folk, and jazz influences.

Matt Hersh will perform from 12-1 p.m., and Fullproof will perform from 1-2 p.m.