joined on 08/08/06
last updated 12/20/08
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June 28, 2007
I first met Mark and Ling at the Northern Renn Faire in 1991 when we played for the group that became Hahbi Ru for the 1992 Faire, and for several years thereafter with Hahbi Ru. I love them both, as musicians and as people. When I first moved to CA they were extremely hospitable to a relative stranger, and have been good friends since, even though we cannot work together very often due to the fact that I live 4 hours away from SF, and I look forward to any and every chance we have to get together.
I agree with Elliot, Mark will never admit how close he IS to being "America's first darbukka master".
Also, if any of you have a chance, take a workshop or class with him, I guarantee it will improve your drumming skills!
April 11, 2007
Don't be put off by Mark's tagline, "Waiting for the first real American darbukka master to surface." Mark has spent many many serious years pursuing those elusive Arabic drumming styles, and has seen all the little fads and overnight "virtuosos" and "masters" come and go, all the while remaining true to his path to play a better maqsum. I for one appreciate his wit and candor, his true generosity as a teacher, and really admire his perseverance despite all the obstacles that face those who truly love and want to do a just performance of a non-Western music.
Rock on, Mr. Bell!
March 24, 2007
;)
Mark, as Ling Shien, are some of the most magical persons on the planet's surface. They come into your life, you don't know where from, and they charm you totally! Their sincere smile catches your attention while their kindness steal your heart, and when you think you're almost aware of their tricks, they leave you there with the promise of coming back next year!! YEAH!!
We miss you guys! will be a pleasure to have you back here, can't wait! You've got to see Morrighan, she's HUGE!
OH! and Gordo is been missing Ling Shien like hell!
Lots of kisses, blessing, honey &Magic!
about me
I started working Arabic and Persian nightclubs in 1972-73, first in San Francisco, then in Orange County and Los Angeles. It stopped being fun in the early '80's so I quit and became a commodities broker. After that stopped being fun, I quit. Since then I've done a variety of things but have always continued playing as I love Middle Eastern music.
My wife and I formed Helm in the 1980's. Band members have included Henri Besancon, Laurie Eisler, Tobias Roberson, Larry Klein, Lars Tergis, David Glazier, Pat Bogel, and Frank Aviles. Dancers we've worked closely with include FatChanceBellyDance, Mira Betz, Elizabeth Strong, Zoe Jakes, Hannah Romanovsky, Terry del Giorno, Sage Hoban and Venus Serpentina. We are also known for our past association with !Aywah and Hahbi Ru.
I've traveled fairly extensively throughout the Middle East, playing on sidewalks and in plazas in many countries. These days I am glad to have great musicians friends like Tobias (see our CD, Itneen), Faisal, the whole "East Bay" crowd too numerous to mention who keep amazing me with what they do, and the Lark in the Morning crowd: Sami Shumays, Wael Kakish, and my fellow Grammy winners, Robin Petrie and Paul Hostetter.
Re: Where is the "Ka" on a Davul/Tupan?
(in Middle Eastern Percussion)
I posted a youtube link recently on this tribe that features a kid, maybe 18 years old, with incredible technique. Link originally posted by Sinan on FB. Easiest way: put davul on ground, take chibook and hit perpendicular, letting stick rebound, ...
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discussion post on Wed, November 18, 2009 - 6:17 AM
Re: Amir Naoum tabla maker
(in Middle Eastern Percussion)
Don't know but their shops are about 10 meters from each other.
discussion post on Fri, November 13, 2009 - 1:11 PM
Re: "Double zill" type percussion instrument?
(in Middle Eastern Percussion)
Are you referring to gargabas (among many other phonetic spellings) that come from Morocco?
discussion post on Fri, November 13, 2009 - 1:10 PM
Re: Amir Naoum tabla maker
(in Middle Eastern Percussion)
Last price I heard from Faisal was 400 USD and that was several years ago. I'm in London now and we will be in Barcelona and Girona in a week or so and don't have Hassan's info with me. Ignatius has all the info correct, though. His shop is kind o...
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discussion post on Fri, November 13, 2009 - 4:45 AM
Helm in Europe - U.K. and Spain, Nov. '09
( events » live music ) Ling Shien and Mark Bell of Helm will be conducting workshops in London, Barcelona, and Girona. Ling Shien will be teaching sajat and choreography utilizing sajat to music. Mark will be teaching percussion. Each workshop session will bring both cl...
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event starts Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 1:00 PM
!!BlackSheep, Tribal Fest & Kajira D.,
**MIDEAST POLITICS**,
*Aveyanda Skye-Tribal Fusion Bellydance*,
Arabic Musicians,
ATS,
Belly Dance Instructors,
Bellydance,
Bellydance Nation,
Byzantium Near East Music & Dance,
Cheap INTERNATIONAL Airfare,
dhavir productions,
DIY Health and Natural Medicine,
Dumbek Fever,
Elizabeth Strong!,
FANS OF NASER MUSA,
FatChanceBellyDance,
Gypsy Music,
I Heart Tobias Roberson,
I LOVE MIDDLE-EASTERN DANCE AND MUSIC,
JLC Images Photography,
...
June 28, 2007
I first met Mark and Ling at the Northern Renn Faire in 1991 when we played for the group that became Hahbi Ru for the 1992 Faire, and for several years thereafter with Hahbi Ru. I love them both, as musicians and as people. When I first moved to CA they were extremely hospitable to a relative stranger, and have been good friends since, even though we cannot work together very often due to the fact that I live 4 hours away from SF, and I look forward to any and every chance we have to get together.
I agree with Elliot, Mark will never admit how close he IS to being "America's first darbukka master".
Also, if any of you have a chance, take a workshop or class with him, I guarantee it will improve your drumming skills!
April 11, 2007
Don't be put off by Mark's tagline, "Waiting for the first real American darbukka master to surface." Mark has spent many many serious years pursuing those elusive Arabic drumming styles, and has seen all the little fads and overnight "virtuosos" and "masters" come and go, all the while remaining true to his path to play a better maqsum. I for one appreciate his wit and candor, his true generosity as a teacher, and really admire his perseverance despite all the obstacles that face those who truly love and want to do a just performance of a non-Western music.
Rock on, Mr. Bell!
March 24, 2007
;)
Mark, as Ling Shien, are some of the most magical persons on the planet's surface. They come into your life, you don't know where from, and they charm you totally! Their sincere smile catches your attention while their kindness steal your heart, and when you think you're almost aware of their tricks, they leave you there with the promise of coming back next year!! YEAH!!
We miss you guys! will be a pleasure to have you back here, can't wait! You've got to see Morrighan, she's HUGE!
OH! and Gordo is been missing Ling Shien like hell!
Lots of kisses, blessing, honey &Magic!
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