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"flamenco-ish demons"
"go check out Yussi & Django, who we caught twice in the same week 'cause they were so good! Alternately intense and relaxing, it's kind of like Strunz and Farah, but with a younger, hipper twist..."
Yussi & Django are a guitar duo that blend Spanish and Middle Eastern guitar melodies with powerful Latin rhythms, backed up by bass and percussion. Their instrumental music is exotic and energetic style of instrumental guitar music that is spiced with fiery improvisation in a world beat gypsy guitar style, the tradition of Eastern European Gypsy, Spanish Flamenco and American Jazz players coupled with a blend of Middle Eastern guitar melodies and powerful Latin and Persian rhythms accompanied by Pejman Hadadi. Their music has soul, precision, and energy.
Yussi & Django play an exotic and energetic style of instrumental music that is spiced with fiery improvisation in the tradition of Eastern European Gypsy, Spanish flamenco and American jazz players. Their exciting, virtuosic playing is captured on this CD, accompanied by some of Los Angeles' finest young musicians on fret-less bass and percussion. Both Yussi and Django have been extensively influenced by a variety of world music, and it shows in their original compositions which blend Spanish and Middle Eastern guitar melodies with powerful Latin and Persian rhythms. The result is an intriguing and playful sound similar to the Gypsy Kings, Ottmar Liebert, Strunz and Farah (with whom both have studied), and even John McLaughlin. These guys have chops to spare, and although one is impressed with the lightning fast and clean lines they play, they are an incredibly musical partnership, utilizing fluid ensemble lines and intelligent harmonies to showcase their amazing technical abilities. Theirs is a music with sweetness, soul, precision, and youthful energy.
Yussi & Django perform extensively around the Los Angeles area. They both play in many other situations; Yussi with the critically acclaimed X DOT 25 group Axiom of Choice, Ricky Martin (formerly of Menudo and currently appearing on General Hospital) who's CD has recently been at #1 on the Latin/Pop charts, and many famous Middle Eastern singers; and Django with the famous Persian singer "Andy", with Big Mountain (who's remake of Peter Frampton's "Baby I Love Your Way" was a hit) as well as belly dancers, flamenco dancers, and rock acts. They have recently performed live on local (Fresh and Fun) and national (t.v.) cable TV. Both played on the nationally charted CD "Storyteller" by percussionist/singer Vinx (who has toured with Sting).
Nylon String Guitar, Steel String Guitar, Mandolin, Tombak, Daf, Bass, Cello, Percussion, Congas, Cajon, Drums
Yussi Wenger: Nylon String Guitar (Right Channel), Steel String Guitar (9), Voice (15), Mandolin (10), Rainstick (10)
Django Porter: Nylon String Guitar (Left Channel), Steel String Guitar (13), Voice (15)
Pejman Hadadi: Tombak (11,13,14,15), Daf (11,13)
Felipe Amaya: Bass (4) • Larry G. Goldman: Bass (1,2) • Gil Morales: Bass (5,8), Cello (15) • Ross Wright: Bass (6,11,14)
Ray Yslas: Percussion, Congas, Cajon, Shaker (1,2,4,10) • John "Joao" Cardoso: Drums (1,5,8), Percussion (6,8) • Aldoush Alpanian: Voice (15)
Produced by: Aldoush Alpanian • Co-produced by: Yussi & Django
Recorded & Mixed at: 42nd Studio N. Hollywood • Recording & Mixing Engineer: Yousef Shahab
Digitally Mastered at: Rocket Lab San Francisco • Mastering Engineer: Michael Romanowski
Cover Design: Koorosh Angali • Computer Graphics: Koorosh Angali
Yussi & Django Photo: Mark Henauer • CD Label Photo: Ali Sadeghi
Yussi Wenger (acoustic guitar, mandolin) is from Switzerland and has been playing guitar since 1985. In 1988 he came to the United States to study music. He has since been performing and recording with a variety of Latin, pop and middle eastern artists. Yussi is the author of the instructional book "Exotic Guitar."
Yussi would like to thank his parents, the Wenger and Zahn family, Tess Stumbras, Tanya Mongé, Boaz Elkayam, L. R. Baggs Pickups, D'Angelico Strings, all the musicians contributing to this project and God. Yussi exclusively plays D'Angelico Strings.
Django's father who is also a musician started teaching him at a very early age. Django began playing blues and rock, and later in his teen years he began studying jazz. Django who is always searching for new musical styles, began experimenting with traditional world music. For the last five years he has been playing in the Los Angeles area with numerous world beat, jazz and pop groups.
Django would like to give thanks to his parents for their love and support, Nora M., Westwood Music, Abraham Wechter, and the rest of his friends who supported him. Django uses Wechter Nylon String and Dupont Steel String Guitars.
Pejman Hadadi is one of the most respected Iranian percussionists performing internationally today. A master of the tombak and daf, his playing combines technical mastery with a highly expressive and dynamic approach to rhythm. His contribution to the Tombak Sessions on Bandidos de Amor adds a profound Persian dimension to the duo's world fusion sound.
