Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
What is interesting about seeing Mr. Reynolds perform live is that he not only plays the melody with the antara, a wind instrument from the sikus family, but he also strums and picks chords and melodies on his guitar simultaneously. He wears the antara around his neck with a Bob Dylan-style fixing, and plays away at both instruments. Any flute player would marvel at the tight control over each note Reynolds displays while packing a stream of emotions into his complex scale runs, but to see him do that and play the guitar is quite impressive.
Mr. Reynolds describes his style of music as sicureada, which translates to “back-and-forth.” He is quick to point out that this style is best suited for outfits of at least 6 musicians to upwards of 20, all reacting and responding to each note in a back and forth manner. The most exciting example of this kind of playing, he says, occurs each year on New Years Eve in Bolivia, when scores of musicians play from sundown until sunrise the next day, over 13 straight hours of music.
But in the trio, Reynolds plays the sicureada himself, reacting and responding with his antara and guitar as well as to the rest of the band. Oscar’s nephew Jose Reynolds strums sharp, precise chords on a charango, a small guitar, and Peruvian percussionist Lalo Izquierdo taps, thumps, bangs and beats on a cajon, a rectangular box that Izquierdo sits on while playing. The cajon that Izquierdo plays is based on similar wooden boxes that African slaves improvised on hundreds of years ago when they had no other instruments.
Thus, in Oscar’s music you have diverse cultural traditions joining together based on time period, means and circumstance. This music is not just empty notes hanging in the open air. History, tradition and geography are just as important as scales and beats, sharps and flats. The blending of traditions and cultures as the music crossed borders, migrated and evolved over the course of history, over empires falling and rising and countries gaining and losing dominance and power; this is the experience Oscar Reynolds brings to his music. - San Francisco Observer
Translated:
"Outstanding Bolivian flutist. In all his melodic pieces, Reynolds reveals the cultural richness of the music from his country."
Original:
"Destacado vientista boliviano. En todas sus melódicas piezas, Reynolds da cuenta de la riqueza cultural de la música de su país." - Periódico Opiníon, Bolivia
Translated:
The Music of Oscar Reynolds emerges from a "river of light"
"Oscar Reynolds is a multi-faceted Bolivian musician advocating the culture of his country throughout the world."
"...prestigious musicians"
Original:
La música de Oscar Reynolds emerge de un "río de luz"
"Oscar Reynolds es un multifacético músico boliviano que viene difundiendo la cultura del país por el mundo.
"...prestigiosos músicos" - El Diario, National Newspaper, Bolivia
"The melodic mix of flutes and guitar–the passion and soul of Bolivian music...Oscar Reynolds’ acoustic and wind instruments made magic in the mountains.”
- Marian Liddell, Chester Editor - Chester Progressive, Sierra Mountains Newspaper
"Bolivian native Oscar Reynolds played a beautiful mix of Bolivian music on acoustic guitar and his handcrafted pan-flute.
...The crowd around the stage was swept away with the luscious, haunting pan-flute melodies...Oscar Reynolds’ haunting sounds captivated the crowd.”
- Wayne Langston, Special to The Forum - Castro Valley Forum
San Franciso-based Oscar Reynolds hails originally from Bolivia, the country one most associates with his chosen instrument, the sikus, or pan-pipe. Oscar is a talented multi-instrumentalist, capable of turning his hand to guitar, keyboard, bass, charango & percussion and his longevity as a musician (this is his sixth solo album) owes much to his ability to convey the traditional sound of Bolivia in a contemporary setting.
For River of light Reynolds has assembled a small group of musicians who work in a very tight and carefully arranged ensemble to provide a lively instrumental backdrop to Reynolds' very lyrical pipe style. Fellow Bolivians José Luis Reynolds (charango), Fernando de Sanjines (Percussion), a brace of Peruvians - Lalo Izquierdo (cajón) & Raul Ramirez (Percussion) join Enrique Coria (guitar/bass) from Argentina and Spanish flamenco guitarist Chuscales to revitalize a sound many of us have not paid attention to since the heady days of Incantation.
It has to be said, Reynolds' music should not really be spoken of in the same breath, his approach to traditional tunes and more contemporary themes in the music bring far more color to the sound and the jazzy Latin-tinged arrangements are perfect for chill-out, preferably with a long cool drink...
There's an effortlessness in River of light which takes the listener on a timeless journey across imagined, endless plateau, meeting broad sunset rivers flooded with sparkling light.
- World Music Central, www.worldmusiccentral.org
Bolivian multi-instrumentalist Oscar Reynolds, not only plays Andean pipes, synth and guitar, he can play them all at the same time. Now, I haven't witnessed this musician in action myself, but read about his extraordinary dexterity in the press notes that accompanied his latest CD, Rio De Luz (River of Light). Of course, he's brought some South American colleagues on board along with flamenco guitarist Chuscales from Spain, to flesh out his compositions that appear on Rio De Luz. Argentine guitarist Enrique Coria, Bolivian charango player Jose Luis Reynolds (Oscar's nephew), Bolivian percussionist Fernando de Sanjines and Peruvian percussionists Raul Ramirez and Lalo Izquierdo (Peru Negro) join Oscar in bringing South American folk music and a bit of flamenco to a global audience.
Most of the instruments that appear on Rio De Luz would be familiar to fans of global music. The charango and Andean pipes have appeared on numerous recordings of other South American artists such as Mariana Montalvo for instance, and the South American folk rhythms would also recall such artists as Marta Gomez, Susana Baca and others. The music on this disc is deceptively soothing upon first listen, but after a more careful listen, one can hear polyphonic rhythms and a lush tapestry of guitar, charango, Andean pipes (antara) and bass. The over all effect marries South American folk with flamenco (Estrella Azules). The instrumental album provides gorgeous and sensual melodies and while this music doesn't get the body moving in the way that salsa or cumbia might, it does invoke toe tapping and the quickening of one's pulse. It's lovely work by exceptionally talented players.
I recommend Rio De Luz to fans of Andean folk music and South American folk music in general. And for those folks interested in learning more about this CD inspired by a river from Oscar's childhood, visit Karumanta.com
- P. Herlevi - Cranky Crow World Music
If you love Andean pan pipes, also known as antara in Bolivia and Peru, you will enjoy this album. River of Light is an all instrumental recording full of evocative Andean rhythms and melodies. Oscar Reynolds is a Bolivian composer and musician living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although he plays various instruments, his specialty is the antara.
Oscar Reynolds surrounded himself with musicians from South America and Spain. River of Light features Oscar Reynolds on antara, guitar, bass and synths; accompanied by two guitarists, Enrique Coria (Argentina) and Chuscales (a Flamenco artist from Spain); José Luis Reynolds (Bolivia) on charango; Fernano de Sanjinés (Bolivia) on percussion; Lalo Izquierro (Peru) on cajón; and Raúl Ramírez (Peru) on percussion.
- Angel Romero, World Music Central, www.worldmusiccentral.org
Oscar Reynolds, a native Bolivian, brings us the sounds and rhythms of Bolivian and Afro-Peruvian origins. Oscar invited other musicians from Argentina, Peru and Spain for River Of Light to complete his bands' sound. Overall, the instrumentation and percussion are characteristic of puro music; which is the Bolivian form of flamenco music.
The guitar, bass, charango, cajon, synthesizer and antara (pan pipe) round out the instrumental ensemble. Vocals are absent on all of the tracks. A very refreshing album for flamenco or South American music fans!
- Matthew Forss - Inside World Music with Paula E. Kirman, www.insideworldmusic.com
Translated:
"Without doubt, one of the 10 best albums that I have received in 2005 (more than 150 at the moment.)
- Francisco Manuel, LA OTRA ORILLA at www.radiodespi.com, Spain
Original:
"Sin duda, uno de los 10 mejores álbumes que recibí este año 2005 (más de 150, de momento)."
- Francisco Manuel, LA OTRA ORILLA at www.radiodespi.com, Spain - Francisco Manuel, LA OTRA ORILLA at www.radiodespi.com, Spain
Discography
River of Light, Oscar Reynolds, (2005), Karumanta Music
Peace, Holiday album), Enrique Coria & Oscar Reyolds, (2004), Karumanta Music
Sembrando Trigo, Oscar Reynolds, (1999),Karumanta Music
Sembrando Maiz, Oscar Reynolds, (1999), Karumanta Music
Llokallito, Karumanta Jamuyku, (1995), Karumanta Music
Pueblo Perdido, Karumanta Jamuyku, (1992), Karumanta Music
Celebration, Oscar & Mario Reynolds, (1997), Independent recording
Tracks with streaming or radio airplay: River of Light, Women & Children, April, and Serena from the latest album "River of Light" on NPR's Morning Edition; KSER Seattle; KUAC Alaska; KUSP, KPFA, & KPOO California; WFAS New York; WKNH Boston; WTUL New Orleans; KTEP Texas; CBC Digital Canada; among others, and is on the top 100 on the New Age Reporter charts. A complete list, currently listing 785 radio stations with key markets in San Francisco; Seattle; San Antonio; El Paso; New Orleans; Santa Cruz; Greater Northern California; Green Bay; Boise; Syracuse; Honolulu; and Washington, D.C. available on request.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
“Very tight and carefully arranged ensemble provide a lively instrumental backdrop…the music brings far more color to the sound.” - Dave Atkin, World Music Central
Led by Bolivian instrumentalist and composer Oscar Reynolds, the critically-acclaimed San Francisco ensemble, the Oscar Reynolds Trio, takes the audience on a musical journey high into the Andes Mountains of Bolivia to reveal its well-kept secret: its African musical heritage. Along with its neighboring country Perú, Bolivia’s music has its own share of African-influenced rhythms and dances when the Spanish colonizers traveled to the Americas beginning in the 16th century, bringing with them African slaves.
A multi-instrumentalist, flute-maker, recording engineer, and composer, internationally-acclaimed bamboo flutist Oscar Reynolds leads the trio’s repertoire with traditional Bolivian pieces as well as his original compositions and arrangements that reveal his Bolivian musical style, combined with Afro-Bolivian, Afro-Peruvian, and Flamenco influences. Rhythms on guitar and percussion and Reynolds’ flute-blowing style give his music its Bolivian character despite the similarity of instruments shared by the neighboring Andean countries of Perú and Ecuador. Playing complex, flowing melodies on the antara (Bolivian bamboo flutes) together with emotive, expressive chords and melodies on South American and Spanish guitar, Oscar Reynolds’ uniqueness in playing the guitar and flutes simultaneously in concert led San Francisco Observer’s music critic Frank Zeccola to say, “Any flute player would marvel at the tight control over each note Reynolds displays while packing a stream of emotions into his complex scale runs, but to see him do that and play the guitar is quite impressive.”
Master percussionist and dancer Lalo Izquierdo, one of the founders of the legendary dance group Perú Negro, the cultural ambassadors of Black Peruvian Culture, brings polyphonic rhythms and invigorating beats on the Peruvian cajón (box drum) as well as intricate footwork in his creatively-choreographed dances rooted in the folk tradition. José Luis Reynolds on the high-pitched charango, an Andean adaptation of the guitar with five double-strings, adds elegance with an Andean tinge.
Since 1991, Oscar Reynolds and his ensemble have been “the current favorite of fans in a field already overrun with excellent musicians, representing the purest traditional sound,” according to the widely read Bay Area alternative weekly, the East Bay Express. These world-class musicians, with music careers that have spanned almost four decades, have captivated audiences around the world in cities such as São Paulo, Río de Janeiro, Caracas, Mérida, Paris, London, Sevilla, Madrid, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Santa Fe, and Colorado Springs to various sold-out shows in up to 2,000 seat venues.
Tracks from their latest album Río de Luz has aired on NPR’s Morning Edition and KGO’s “The Best Music You’ve Never Heard,” among over 750+ NPR/PRI radio stations and syndicated programs across the United States and abroad such as WFAS New York; WGBH & WKNH Boston; KSER Seattle; KUAC Alaska; KUSP, KPFA, & KPOO California; WTUL New Orleans; KTEP Texas; and CBC Digital Canada. Kitty Norris of KMFB/KZYX radio declares, "Río de Luz is superb and very exciting."
As 2005 recipients of the highly competitive Creative Work Fund grant for traditional arts, the trio are full-time musicians currently performing in concert halls and festivals in the United States and South America, actively participating in helping communities by donating portions of the proceeds from their concerts to non-profit organizations and charities such as Hope and Future for Children in Bolivia, benefiting the education and basic needs of the children in Sucre, Sacramento's H Street Festival, and the non-profit arts organization Soul del Arte.
The Oscar Reynolds Trio proudly celebrates Bolivia’s rich and diverse musical heritage amid its current political unrest and economic instability, a living proof of the richness of Bolivia’s music and culture, despite being the poorest nation in South America.
Links
