Gojogo

Merging musical tradition with innovative sound

Narrative

Gojogo is an unusual quartet that combines the Western sounds of classical and jazz with the rhythmic traditions of India. The acoustic instrumentation includes violin, bass, guitar, and dholki, a double-headed drum from Northern India. Some songs also feature electronic samples and loops. Gojogo performs original music composed collaboratively by the four performers, each drawing upon a different musical tradition and training. Compositions feature improvisation over structured forms, creating space for spontaneity and a medium to present each unique instrument. Gojogo challenges itself to create repertoire that incorporates the eccentricities of its various instruments and musical styles. The result is a sound that defies the borders of any specific genre.

Bio

Gojogo began as an experimental recording project between violinist Sarah Jo Zaharako and sound engineer Elias Reitz. In order to realize their music in a live concert setting, Gojogo incorporated acoustic bass and Indian percussion and has since existed as a quartet. Members include Sarah Jo Zaharako on violin, Eric Perney on bass, Roger Riedlbauer on guitar, and Elias Reitz on Dholki and electronic samples. Since its birth, Gojogo has performed throughout the West Coast and has produced two recordings. “All is Fair”, released in November 2006 on Galaxia Records, received international recognition. “28,000”, released on the Porto Franco Record label in 2011, commemorates a decade of musical growth and chronicles tracks that have been featured in music, film and dance performances throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
Due to their genre-defying musical style, Gojogo boasts a colorful and diverse performance history. The group has performed with popular artists including Joanna Newsom, Bright Black Morning Light, and Vetiver. In 2006, they presented at the first conference of the International Society of Improvised Music. Gojogo received grants from American Composers Forum and San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music in 2009 to perform original scores to Russian animated short films. In 2010, the ensemble joined forces with choreographer Kara Davis to create Symbiosis, a collaborative performance at Dance Mission Theater in San Francisco, funded in part by American Composer’s Forum. Also in 2010, the San Francisco arts organization Intersection for the Arts presented Gojogo on their Jazz at the Intersection concert series at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. They have performed on concert series and festivals throughout the Bay Area including the 2011 Switchboard Music Festival at the Brava Theater in San Francisco. Gojogo is an affiliateof the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music.

Quote

Equal parts gypsy caravan, ethereal Indian classical, and slick electronica, [Gojogo] interweaves elements of all ingredients into a cohesive whole characteristic of the cultural melting pot that is The Bay.
-Shumit DasGupta

Personnel

Sarah Jo Zaharako – violin
Eric Perney – bass
Roger Riedlbauer - guitars
Elias Reitz – dholki, drums, electronics

Contact

Sarah Jo Zaharako
3409 California Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
510-435-7525