The Rhythm Hunters will play The Grand Arch at Jenolan Caves on November 2.
By Yvonne Hellmers – The Rhythm Hunters
Described as “A force of nature – rather than a group of musicians’’, The Rhythm Hunters stage show will leave the audience spellbound when it displays its combination of musical artistry, dazzling visuals and pulsating live performance in the Grand Arch at Jenolan Caves in November.
Wowing audiences wherever they appear, Rhythm Hunters craft a truly exciting and exotic concert of sounds from Indonesia, Japan, Africa and modern day Australia, performing cutting edge physical percussion, didgeridoo, Western horns, Asian flute, deep grooves and ethereal soundscapes that truly mesmerise and captivate.
A feast for the ears and eyes, group leader Rendra Freestone is of Acehnese heritage and has developed Taiko drumming, alongside the exquisite shamanic Sufi-like traditions of Indonesia, creating a magical fusion of innovative drumming, indigenous songs, poetic dance and irresistible music.
With a plethora of recent acclaimed performances at Woodford Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, Cygnet, The Dreaming, National Multicultural Festival, Island Vibe, Subsonic and Mullumbimby Music Festival, The Rhythm Hunters are set to rock the beautiful World Heritage listed Blue Mountains when they perform in the Grand Arch of the Jenolan Caves on Saturday 2 November, 7.30pm with their stunning new show Drum Into The Earth.
Rhythm Hunters are: Rendra Freestone, Rose Callaghan, Luke Fabila, Joseph Smith, Jenna Trostle, Matthew Lee and Ian Hakker. Frame drum dancers: Erin Brooks, Monica Revoltar, Caitlin Bell-Orr, Anna Doyle and Elli Grien.
Joining Rhythm Hunters on stage will be legendary grand master shakuhachi player Riley Lee.
Legendary grand master shakuhachi player Riley Lee.
The first non-Japanese person to attain the rank of Dai Shihan (grand master) in the shakuhachi tradition, Riley is a recipient of two of the most revered lineages of shakuhachi playing, descending from the original Zen Buddhist “priests of nothingness’’ of Edo. Riley Lee’s shakuhachi playing has been critically acclaimed around the world.
On January 1, 2000, Riley was one of only five musicians chosen to be internationally televised ushering in the new millennium on New Year’s morning at dawn, from the top of the “sails’’ of the majestic Sydney Opera House.
Rhythm Hunters and grand master shakuhachi player Riley Lee will perform Drum into the Earth in the Grand Arch at Jenolan Caves, 4655 Jenolan Caves Rd, Jenolan Caves near Oberon, at 7.30pm on Saturday, November 2. Tickets: $25 – $45, (children under-8 free).
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