| GiGi's World of Music Classical Medieval/Renassaince Irish Hawaiian Indian/Middle Eastern Spiritual GiGi's World of Art GiGi's World of Food |
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| Music has always been a part of my life. Being from Hawai'i, I've listened to the Music of Hawai'i from a very young age. ALL kids in Hawai'i had to learn to sing, play the ukulele and 'hula' to the Hawaiian songs. In addition, there was exposure to other cultural music (Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Portugese, etc.), as well as American Bandstand, Top 40's of the 60's & 70's, and more. In Hawai'i, my photographer-father had a vast collection of albums which ran from country (like Lynn Anderson), to Big Bands-Les Brown, Mitch Miller, to Top Hits of the times, to Musical Broadway and Movie Soundtracks I loved the broadway musical Camelot, Hello Dolly, A Chorus Line, and so many more. Because of his profession, my dad met the biggest Hollywood movie stars, singers, musicians, celebraties, dignataries from all over the world in the 1960's & '70's. They inspired his musical tastes, which inspired mine. When I was old enough, I was fortunate to accompany him on many photo shoots. I thank my Father for introducing me to all the wonderful music that touched and filled my life up until his passing on New Year's Eve 1984. I started on the piano in college. I wasn't very good, but loved it anyway. My studies of Art at the University of Hawai'i led me to Classical and Medieval Western/European Music, which I whole-heartedly embraced as if I had found a missing piece in my life. |
I thank my artist-musician husband Clar who: Introduced me to the world of North Indian Classical Music, Spiritual music, the Beatles, classic pop/rock music, Segovia, more Classical European music, which eventually led me to compose some of my own songs and instrumentals; Continues to encourage and support my playing the electric keyboards and the Indian instrumentsl Tanpura, a stringed, droning instrument which accompanies vocalists and most instrumentalists; Kartals-Indian tambourine; Manjiras-finger cymbals; Harmonium-portable pump organ-like instrument; And for wanting to have me as his musical partner in all aspects of collaborations and performances. As a Musician of Indian Classical Music, we perform together and sometimes collaborate with others around the Chicago area. And, what a great city of many great cultures! Italian, Arabic, Polish, Indian, Spanish, African, Caribbean, Chinese, Thai, Hawaiian (yes), more! To me, having a broad range of musical, artistic and culinary tastes means Being Open-Minded, Understanding, Accepting and Respectful of Others & Their Culture. Music is the Universal Language. Food brings People Together. Art is an Expression of One's Soul. This is My World. GiGi, MFA |