Panjandrums

This 7-piece band fuse influences from India, Spain, North Africa, the M. East, the Balkans, Turkey with a dash of reggae.

A wide range of traditional instruments are played from Spanish Guitar, Indian Tablas and Harmonium, Bendir, Shawm, Ney, Oud, Darabuka as well as Flutes, Saxophone and Electric Bass.

The Panjandrums incorporate instruments, rhythms and dance from across the Arabic, Moorish and Indian world to produce an eclectic fusion of sound and movement.

From Moorish Spain and North Africa through the Middle East and on to India, the Panjandrums explore the traditional sounds and rhythms of these cultures and bring their associated forms of dance alive in the exhilarating performance of Karine.

The rhythmical underpinning of the Panjandrums range from the long metered measures of classical Egyptian Sammai music and Indian Ragas through the trance inducing rhythms of North African Shabbi music to the uplifting dance music of Raks Sharki (Belly Dance) from the Middle East and including the odd - metered rhythms from the Balkans.

This range of rhythmical influences is expertly realized in the traditional, entrancing moves and costume of Karine.

With melodic accompaniment from the intricacy and dynamism of the flamenco guitar, the jaunty tunes of the Arabic pipes and haunting sound of the saxophone, the Panjandrums cover a wide and entrancing range of Arabic infused sound and dance 

The Band 

Karine Butchart - Dancer and Zills.

Mike Ford - Indian Tabla, Arabic Percussion.

Simon Leach - Guitar, Saxaphone, Arabic Percussion and Pipes.

Andy Westwood - Spanish Guitar, Indian Tabla, Arabic Percussion.

Chas Whitaker - Arabic Percussion.  

Jenny Black - Flute, Zills and Quarqaba.

Ali Cross - Electric Bass.

Maren Lueg - Flute, Saxophone, Ney, Zurna and Turkish Clarinet