Rick de Yampert
(Sitar Performer)
Like thousands of other kids in 1964, Rick de Yampert became spellbound when four lads named John, Paul, George and Ringo invaded America.
From Beatlemania to “Revolver” to “Abbey Road,” the Beatles seemed like magicians who had mastered deep sonic mysteries, beyond the reach of mere mortals. And so Rick didn’t dare dream of making music until his senior year in high school in 1976, when he bought his first guitar — so that he could learn Beatle songs. Almost 30 years later, his growing fascination with world music spurred him to seek out an instrument more “exotic” than guitar. Soon after taking up Native American flute, he chanced upon a music instrument importer in Melbourne, Florida, that specialized in Indian and Middle Eastern instruments.
Rick suddenly was hit by a second wave of Beatlemania: Hmmmm, George Harrison played sitar . . . on “Norwegian Wood,” on “Love You To,” on “Within You Without You.”
Inspired by the “quiet” Beatle rather than Indian master musician Ravi Shankar (who soon would become a new music hero), Rick took up sitar, the better to woo his new muse . . . a muse who dances to sacred sounds . . . a muse who seeks music that opens doors to the spirit and the soul.
Today Rick plays sitar, Native American flutes, djembe (African hand drum), congas and electric and acoustic guitars. As Sitarick, he frequently performs on sitar and Native American flutes at yoga sessions and Pagan gatherings in Central Florida and the Daytona Beach area . . . and even at the occasional night club gig.
Rick also is half of the world fusion music duo Hejira, which also includes Karl Miranda on djembe, Native American flutes, congas, guitar and didgeridoo. (Hejira is an Arabic word for “flight” or “journey,” specifically one to a more peaceful or spiritual place.) Hejira has performed at the Bandshell and other Daytona Beach venues, and the duo frequently performs at nia dance sessions in the area.
When Rick is not playing music, he works as the arts and entertainment writer at the daily newspaper in Daytona Beach — a position he has held for 17 years. Along with interviewing rock artists, pop stars, writers and poets (including Kurt Vonnegut, Janet Jackson and many others), he also has profiled folk musicians from Ireland, Africa and Native American nations.
Like thousands of other kids in 1964, Rick de Yampert became spellbound when four lads named John, Paul, George and Ringo invaded America. >From Beatlemania to "Revolver" to "Abbey Road," the Beatles seemed like magicians who had mastered deep sonic mysteries, beyond the reach of mere mortals. And so Rick didn't dare dream of making music until his senior year in high school in 1976, when he bought his first guitar -- so that he could learn Beatle songs. Almost 30 years later, his growing fascination with world music spurred him to seek out an instrument more “exotic” than guitar. Soon after taking up Native American flute, he chanced upon a music instrument importer in Melbourne, Florida, that specialized in Indian and Middle Eastern instruments. Rick suddenly was hit by a second wave of Beatlemania: Hmmmm, George Harrison played sitar . . . on “Norwegian Wood,” on "Love You To," on "Within You Without You.” Inspired by the “quiet” Beatle rather than Indian master musician Ravi Shankar (who soon would become a new music hero), Rick took up sitar, the better to woo his new muse . . . a muse who dances to sacred sounds . . . a muse who seeks music that opens doors to the spirit and the soul. Today Rick plays sitar, Native American flutes, djembe (African hand drum), congas and electric and acoustic guitars. As Sitarick, he frequently performs on sitar and Native American flutes at yoga sessions and Pagan gatherings in Central Florida and the Daytona Beach area . . . and even at the occasional night club gig. Rick also is half of the world fusion music duo Hejira, which also includes Karl Miranda on djembe, Native American flutes, congas, guitar and didgeridoo. (Hejira is an Arabic word for “flight” or “journey,” specifically one to a more peaceful or spiritual place.) Hejira has performed at the Bandshell and other Daytona Beach venues, and the duo frequently performs at nia dance sessions in the area. When Rick is not playing music, he works as the arts and entertainment writer at the daily newspaper in Daytona Beach -- a position he has held for 17 years. Along with interviewing rock artists, pop stars, writers and poets (including Kurt Vonnegut, Janet Jackson and many others), he also has profiled folk musicians from Ireland, Africa and Native American nations.
Rick also presents a lecture on the history of sacred music, which he has given to Pagan festivals, Unitarian churches and other groups. Titled “Sacred Music: From the Big Bang to ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ ” the program explores how and why cultures around the planet have used music to open doors to the sacred, from shaman drummers to Pakistani Sufi singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, from Native American chant to the rock anthem “Stairway to Heaven.”
The lecture features de Yampert performing on sitar, guitar, Native American flute, didgeridoo, Tibetan singing bowl and djembe (African hand drum).
Brian Morse
(Treblehawk – Guitar, Piano, Vocals)
Treblehawk was given birth by Brian Morse, who has been writing and performing his own music for over 30 years.
Brian has written songs for and played with bands from around the country, including: Xciter out of Norfolk Virginia; Frantic Velocity out of Hampton Virginia; Surf City out of St. Petersburg, Fl.; Smoldering Ashes out of Clearwater, FL.; and International recording artists Shining Wheel Pagan Chorus out of Clearwater, FL. Brian also writes music for a nationally syndicated television show, and has even written music for commercials around the US, including an Ace Award Winning PSA for AIDS awareness.
Here is video of Brian at the 2010 St. Johns County PPD festival:
Mark Wagenschnur
(Flute Performer)
Mark Wagenschnur has been making music his whole life but his love affair with the Native American style flute and its magical music began in 2007. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Mark has resided in Palm Coast, Florida since 2004. He crafts all his flutes from local bamboo and embellishes them with gifts from Mother Earth and the sea.
He has performed his original flute compositions at jazz and blues venues in Pennsylvania and Delaware as well as the following festivals: Native Rhythms, Green Song Music Fest, Farm to Family Music Fest, Down 2 Earth, Green Frog Moon, Festival, Heartsbreath Flute Extravaganza, 2011 Native American Earth Festival, 21st Annual Native American Festival, Silverhawk Native Flute Gathering, FPG Gatherings
Mark has recorded a compilation of original compositions featuring his bamboo flutes, piano and harmonica entitled Remember Me. He is joined on several songs by guitarist Steve Forester. Mark has collaborated with several Florida musicians including St. Petersburg’s Key of Life, has performed live on Flagler County radio and has been the featured local artist in the Daytona Beach News Journal’s “In the Spotlight”. His music can also be found on the CD, Flutie and the Blowhards, a collection of flute music from four Central Florida musicians.
Mark enjoys donating his time teaching people, young and old, about this magical instrument and its healing gifts. He feels we all have the ability within us to make a joyful noise. You can contact Mark at flutewags@yahoo.com or at (386) 793-6341.