• Home
• /
• Entertainment

DUBAI’S GARDEN OF EDEN

Each of the musicians plays an electric version of their instrument and are set to challenge the limits of what has come to be generally expected of classical crossover musicians. Expect a sensual and unique musical experience drawing on ethnic lounge and house music.

Founded by popular Dubai-based harpist, Shelley Frost, Eden has come into being through a series of amazing coincidences and collaborations. "We will be meeting regularly after our launch at the Madinat Theatre. Our projects in the pipeline include recording a CD and a potential tour of Europe this year", Frost said in an exclusive interview with the City Times. "This is an idea that has been germinating in my mind for many years, and suddenly it has all come together in the most spectacular fashion," she said. "Finding the right musicians with whom to work is obviously paramount.

This is where meeting violinist Maria Manousaki was extraordinary. She was playing at the Velvet Lounge on a jazz gig for a few weeks, on a brief visit from Greece and we met up to discuss the possibility of working together. We discovered that the direction we were taking musically was almost identical and clicked immediately. We both left that initial meeting feeling that there were exciting things to come!"

In fact, as it turned out, Manousaki had been performing regularly with an international electric string trio known as Ccbonnes, doing corporate functions and touring clubs in Boston, New York and Greece. Their music is original and has Middle Eastern, ethnic and house influences. Meanwhile, Frost has been developing her own unique solo style behind the electric harp, improvising over lounge and house music with a widely eclectic touch. She recently opened for the Jose Carerras concert in Dubai, weaving opera and ethnic melodies over lounge music. She was also recently chosen as a finalist for the Entertainer of the Year Award in America, an award for professionals who have displayed extraordinary work, creativity, innovation and commitment to their crafts.

Frost and Manousaki are joined by Cody Geil on violin and Irina Chirkova on cello. Together they bring a rich cultural mix, with a combination of Greek, South African, American and Bulgarian nationalities. What makes their music particularly interesting is that it has largely been written, arranged and recorded in Dubai.

Olivier Collette, a well known Dubai-based jazz pianist and composer, has written an original piece and arranged a number of others specially for this unique combination. Manousaki, who normally writes and arranges for her trio, has also contributed a few of her arrangements.

"The backing tracks are fantastic and we are deeply indebted to Mike Manitshana and Sipho Dlamini of Creative Kingdom Studios for the inspiration and time that has been poured into this music. An absolute pleasure to collaborate with such a professional and talented team," says Frost.

Eden’s debut performance will come as the opening act for the touring soprano, Summer, whose debut album has sailed straight into the Classical Charts at No. 2 in the UK and No.1 in the US. The show will feature her chic and unique blend of classical, world and pop music.

This is an evening that will both energise and soothe your soul, — a performance not to be missed.