Hejira

Artist Information

Biography

Hejira has performed at many world music and international culture festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest, as well as in New York City, Sedona, AZ, and the Midwest.

Don Baragiano (guitars) is the Founder and principle Composer for the group. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Don attended the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music.
In the 1980s, he was hired by the Ministry of Finance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Don's long-time love of world music was solidified here when he was invited to a private audience/master class with HRM King Faud's master musician, Hamzah Mohammed Al-Bashir .
When Don returned to the States, he joined the New Europa Troubadours and toured with them for 5 years. Shortly after he moved to Seattle in 2001 he formed Hejira, where he plays regularly for appreciative audiences.

Hejira Accomplishments:

- 19 day/12 gig tour during Sept 2010 (OH/KY/WV)
- New CD "Releasing the HOW"
- Performed/toured twice in Sedona, AZ (2007 & 2008) for the “Musicians who need to be heard Network”
- Selected to perform at the International Day of Music in NYC, 2010
- Don’s original song "Moroccan Roll" plays on Internet Radio; www.OutboundMusic.com
- LIVE Radio shows @ KSER (Everett), KAOS (Olympia) & KUOW (Seattle)
- 2 Major International Webcasts - Seattle, WA & Sedona, AZ www.musiciansnet.org/hejira/
- Performed 5 times @ FolkLife and 3 times @ ArabFest in Seattle, WA
- Don’s original song “Hejira” was accepted by; www.songswithvision.com

Instrumentation

Don Baragiano - Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Yasmin - Percussion, Drumming, Middle Eastern Dancing.

Discography

Moroccan Roll at the Evergreen State Fair 2009 w/full band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K30IxLcwxU4&feature=related

A review and pictures from a recent House Concert:
http://markopolo.smugmug.com/Performing-Arts/Music/Hejira-World-Music-Cello/11167340_ygaKS#782789551_HewsM

A portion of a song we simply call “6”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bE_lEguiSc&feature=related

Hejira recorded a LIVE WEBcast from Sedona, AZ on 11/10/07. Watch it online www.musiciansnet.org/hejira

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Testimonial from our 2/6/10 gig
• Hejira @ Evergreen State Fair 8/09
• KUOW
• Our 6/8 tune

Audio

• Moraccan Roll
  Listen   Download
• Hejira
  Listen   Download

Video

8_14_Renton_Andalusian.MP4

Love is a Miracle2_Dupont.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• What our Fans are saying [+ Show ]
  

  Hi Don, Great to read that fan mail.....and it's right on! Same thing I said....it’s the two ...
  Hi Don,
  
  Great to read that fan mail.....and it's right on!
  Same thing I said....it’s the two of you that make magic. You don't need anyone or anything else except exposure. You are both exceptional musicians. We look forward to the next time we are able to see you as friends, and to hear you as the masters that you are.
  
  Bless your good efforts,
  Jan Day from sunny California coast.
  
  
  Hi Don,
  
  I just moved off of Vashon and know the quality of music available on the island. I'm SURE you were a true delight, and I encourage you to believe the feedback. You're musically awesome!
  
  It's time to let your freak flags fly with abandon and joy!
  
  I'm also eager to hear you again soon, on this side of the water.
  
  Best wishes for 2010,
  
  Cherie Byrd
  www.kissingschool.com
  
  
  WOW, Don !!
  
  ...this is amazing and wonderful...and a huge "of course" !!!!!
  
  This man who wrote your "review" speaks for all of us who are unflagging in our devotion to your music, art, Soul........your passionate expression of creativity through your music touches everyone...........sooner or later, everyone will know Hejira!!! :):):)
  
  I'm honored I met both of you at the beginning of your journey as two musicians, coming together with the common ground of music as your language............and you playing our little art gallery seems like light years behind us.......may there be more venues on this island with more rice and tea to be shared. :):):):)
  
  Namaste!!!!
  
  Maren :):):):)
  Hugs to you both!!!!!
  
  
  Right on, Don.
  
  On to more and more in 2010!
  
  - Stanislove
  
  
  Great news, Don!
  
  I love it when a good-natured group with reliable, quality performances gets ahead of the "odd gig" stage. I was pretty impressed early in the year when I saw your schedule, but am more so now.
  
  Happy New Year!
  
  Su
  
  
  Don,
  
  Thank you for sharing ...
  May the angels surround you and continue to guide you on your way. Much success!
  
  Have you sent this to Lisa Allison yet?
  She certainly could help in referrals for you.
  I am a member of her church.
  
  Have a wonderful, successful New Year.
  
  Sandy in Sammamish
  
  
  Don,
  
  Heck yeah we still want you to play. Sorry you haven't heard from me in a bit, I've been out of town. I've attached a copy of the flyer and I'll be in touch about your sound check and all that in the near future.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Audra

• Spontaneous Musical Innovators [+ Show ]
  

  Hi Don, "Ashraf and you are so innovative...I noticed the body language between you as you pl...
  Hi Don,
  
  "Ashraf and you are so innovative...I noticed the body language between you as you played.
  
  You were reading each other’s mind and were developing new musical ideas, instantaneously.
  
  While entertaining the audience you two were having a musical conversation of the mind.
  
  As a team, you are spontaneous music innovators.
  
  I wish you great success!"
  
  Dr. Rubina’ Mahsud
  On staff @ Seattle University …..

• A Little Night Music [+ Show ]
  

  A Little Night Music Exotic Seattle trio "Hejira" makes a summer night come alive at Plenty! Rest...A Little Night Music
  
  Exotic Seattle trio "Hejira" makes a summer night come alive at Plenty! Restaurant in Olympia, WA.
  
  Hejira’s music is exotic, passionate, sonorous, even erotic, with touches of jazz extempore and even a hint of rock, which is saying quite a lot, because when most serious musicians try to incorporate rock into their styles, they end up sounding merely silly – only Miles Davis and composer John Adams were able to do that.
  
  Usually “fusion” music like this ends up being a messy cacophonic stew. But these guys know what they’re doing.
  
  Baragiano’s guitar was purposeful, never plodding; and Scott Wurtz’s percussive colors kept everything moving, even up until the moment when Ashraf Hakim swung into music from Grieg’s “Peer Gynt” on his violin/cello, playing it with a brisk tremolo that reminded us of a Moslem preacher calling the faithful to prayer from some Byzantine mosque.
  
  Published in the September issue of www.thesittingduck.net (also…infosittingduck@peoplepc.com) Olympia, WA

• Original & Totally Unique [+ Show ]
  

  ...Taia Chard, is an internationally known professional Dancer/Teacher and has performed for; the Ca......Taia Chard, is an internationally known professional Dancer/Teacher and has performed for; the Carnivals in Rio de Janeiro, Saudi Royalty & the Persian Elite in both Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area ... Lavish Hawaiian Polynesian shows in Waikiki & Tahiti. In more mainstream venues she’s performed with; the Isley Brothers band, Fusion Extravaganzas with Baba Olatunji, and Columbia/Sony Record Industry Celebrations. Here’s what she has to say about performing with Hejira:
  
  “…it is refreshing to hear and dance with the original music of Hejira. I like that Hejira is not trying to be some 3rd rate Arabic (cover) band. To me Hejira represents a special opportunity to explore other ways of expressing the beauty of the Arabic as well as, many other World Music rhythms. Just as in speaking another language...it brings out other qualities of dance expression...making me a stronger dancer. Let’s keep going in that unique direction...I love being part of this ORIGINAL AND TOTALLY UNIQUE band!!!! Hejira is one of a kind and moving forward beautifully into a uniquely expansive direction….Taia Chard
  

• Joining the Global Change Network [+ Show ]
  

  BE THE CHANGE - TOUR 2007 As conscious musicians with a desire to impact our world in a positi...BE THE CHANGE - TOUR 2007
  
  As conscious musicians with a desire to impact our world in a positive way and to truly “BE THE CHANGE” Hejira is proud to announce our membership in the
  Musicians-That-Need-To-Be-Heard Network™
  
  www.MusiciansThatNeedToBeHeardNetwork.org
  
  www.GlobalChangeMusic.org
  
  Global Change Music™ and the Musicians That Need To Be Heard Network™ challenge musicians worldwide to write lyrics and melodies that ascend the soul, raise planetary consciousness, and unite humanity in one Global Family Rhythm.
  
  The main objective of Global Change Music and the Musicians-That-Need-To-Be-Heard Network is to help artists meet their destiny and use their God-given talents for the betterment of humankind.
  
  COME OUT & SUPPORT GLOBAL CHANGE THROUGH MUSIC!!!

Setlist

Hejira Set List – Summer 2012


1. Hejira
2. Love is a Miracle
3. 9/8 Karshlama
4. Night in Budapest
5. Miserlou (traditional, our arrangement)
6. Brazilian Breeze
7. Under a Crescent Moon

...............Break..............

8. Flight of Mohammad
9. Andalusian
10. Garoon (traditional, our arrangement)
11. Persian 6/8
12. Major Distraction
13. Zaar (spiritual cleansing)
14. Keep Walking (Reggae - w/Rumi Lyrics)
15. 7/4 Eastern European tune
16. Al-Hambra
17. Moroccan Roll

...............Break.................

18. Trance-Fusion
19. Collision Theory
20. Raq of Gibraltar
21. New York to Seattle
22. 911
23. Let Yourself (w/Rumi Lyrics)

Additional song info:

Hejira - Hejira means;
1 - starting off on a new path or direction,
2 - a flight or journey to a more pleasant or desirable place.
Inspired by the 2 years Don lived in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. He'd hear the minarets blasting out 'prayer call' 5x/day in Arab minor scale.

Moraccan Roll - This song's intention was to blend Western rock with Middle Eastern rhythms & scales.
"What would it sound like if we gave a Marshall stack & a Stratocaster to an oud-playing, goat tending, mountain dwelling, Middle Eastern shepherd ?" Listen to Moraccan Roll & you'll find out.

ZAAR ... Our present American culture is approximately 250 years old. The ancient Egyptian civilization dates back to 4,000 BC. They had generations to develope & evolve their culture. This Egyptian ZAAR rhythm was used in their temples for spiritual cleansing rituals.

Under a Crescent Moon - This tune mixes Middle Eastern rhythms, open guitar chords & even 4/4 & 6/8 tempos.

Al-Hambra ... Refering to the famous Al-Hambra Palace in Granada, Spain. Moorish influences, flamenco.

Karshlama - A traditional Turkish 9/8 rhythm upon which we have created our own melody & arrangement

Night in Budapest ... A haunting tune in Hungarian minor. Don wrote the first simple melody when he lived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and then finished the song years later when he was back in America. This is a slow 'veil dance' piece for belly dancers.

LOVE IS A MIRACLE ! After a particularly bad relationship break-up in 2002, Don was in agony and his mood intensely dark. Those feelings of pain began to work themselves into a new song "Love is a Miracle". Music is healing, as it evolved he worked through his grief.

Basic Requirements

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