Gypsophilia

Drawing from varying musical styles and backgrounds, the musicians of Gypsophilia merge the sounds of cello, violin, concertina, and percussion together with costumes and often dance to take the listener on a musical journey brimming with cultural diversity.  As a band we are dedicated to demonstrating through our music that while there are many diverse cultures and beliefs on this globe we all inhabit, music is truly a universal language that can soften tensions and break down barriers between people.

The music of Gypsophilia is borrowed music, plucked from different cultures and traditions and woven into a unique tapestry all our own.  Much of our repertoire comes from Greece and Turkey, but there are also Bosnian, Armenian, Romanian and Serbian pieces to be heard as well.  Gypsophilia's original works draw from all of these traditions, often mingling English words with Hebrew rhythms and a Turkish chord structure.  We bring the old world together with the new through a unique mix of Sufi, Jewish, European Classical, and Gregorian tradition.

"The implied message of these extraordinarily talented group is to bring these diverse cultural traditions and religions together."
-Dr. Richard Y. Kirk, Board Chair
Calvary Center, Philadelphia, PA 

"The stage comes alive with dance and music spiced with the influences of Turkey, Greece, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania, and the Middle East.  Gypsophilia has become one of our favorite local bands.  They have the uncanny ability to perform authentic folk music from several traditions, but they also create inventive original works that combine traditional music with very contemporary sounds."
-Sedgewick Cultural Center brochure, Philadelphia, PA 

A violin student since the ripe old age of four, Claudia studied classical style with a Suzuki method teacher before running away to join the gypsies in her late teens.  Today she performs with several different groups in a variety of styles; but Claudia especially loves playing for live audiences with her wonderful gypsy brothers.

Classically trained cellist and vocalist Alfred James is the only cellist in the world playing a black, 5-string carbon fiber cello standing up!  Born in Santa Fe, NM and raised in the Philadelphia area, Alfred began his musical career touring the world as a soloist with The Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale and began playing his father's cello as soon as he was old enough to hold the bow.  Alfred has performed at The White House twice and made his solo cello debut at Carnegie Hall this past March accompanying The Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale.  He currently tours Nationally and Internationally with his cello-driven acoustic rock band, the Alfred James Band, who recently opened for Rufus Wainwright at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.  You can find more information on Alfred, his cello, and the band at www.alfredjamesband.com.

Scott Robinson has been performing at Renaissance Faires since the actual Renaissance, when they just called them "Faires."  He also taught college music for ten years, then stopped. He is a spiritual director and retreat leader, and composes and performs original kirtan with his group Mandala. Gypsophilia was all his idea, for better or for worse. He blogs... www.opentothedivine.com, www.mandalaband.net, and http://www.elephantjournal.com/author/scott-robinson/) 

Hoagy Wing has been performing as a professional percussionist since 1980 and currently resides in the Philadelphia Suburbs . Hoagy specializes in Middle Eastern Percussion, Popular Percussion, Rudimental Drumming, as well performing on his Dumbek, Snare Drum, Drum Kit & Banjo . Hoagy is currently teaching music at The Crefeld School, a private alternative educational institution for middle and upper school students in Chestnut Hill, PA . 

As Philadelphia’s City Paper (8/19/2011) put it …

“Then there's Hoagy Wing. The young yet legendary percussion wizard whose mastery leans toward Middle Eastern sound and instrumentation plays on a regular basis as part of Old City's historic district ensemble Philadelphia Fife & Drum as hand-chosen by Ralph "Ben Franklin" Archbold. Wing is also known for hitting the skins with EDO, Slo Mo, Moloko and several other bands whose names don't end in "o" (including a children-n-dogs music project currently in the works).”

He has appeared on NBC's Today Show with the Colonial Phila . Fife & Drum Companie, and played at the Spectrum in Phila . with Moloko PLUS as well as Ointment . Playing with the Steve Pepper Band Hoagy appeared on the Tim Qualls Show on Delaware’s Channel 28; with the 28 th PA Civil War reenactment group Hoagy arranged authentic drum music, trained musicians and performed for the PBS WNET special “Remembering Slavery . “ With the Lauren Hart Band, Hoagy got to open for Philadelphia's own Hall & Oates during Monday Night Football's Eagles / 49ers game in 1997 . Hoagy got to “drum in” the colors while representing Philadelphia at the opening ceremonies of the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2000 with the Phila . Fife & Drum . During the Convention, they were also featured in a segment on Philadelphia’s Historic sites on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno .