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House of Waters

Lauded as the “Jimi Hendrix of Hammered Dulcimer” by NPR, Max ZT is an innovator of the instrument. Taking his roots from Irish folk music, Max has transplanted his compositional techniques to both Senegal, where he studied the Mandinko technique with the Cissoko griot family, and to India, where he received a grant to study under the santoor master Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. His fresh perspective and bold experimentalism have been the backbone to beautiful, complex, and genuine compositions, while his unorthodox playing style has been a pioneering force in revolutionizing dulcimer techniques.

Moto Fukushima has been playing music for as long as he can remember. Accompanying such greats as Joe Lovano, Mike Stern, and Dave Weckl, he has redefined the role of the bass. With a strong background in jazz improvisation, Western classical music and the African inspired musics of South America, Moto's playing is an amazing combination of finesse, subtlety, and power.

Drummer Ignacio Rivas Bixio mixes South American rhythms with powerful fusion beats. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ignacio moved to NYC after graduating from Berklee College of Music, and is one of the most sought after drummers on the scene.

House of Waters has scored an Emmy winning documentary for ESPN, and has shared the stage with some of the most influential musical leaders of the century including: Pandit Ravi Shankar, Victor Wooten, Tinariwen, Jimmy Cliff, Snarky Puppy, Karsh Kale, and more.

Their self titled first record on Snarky Puppy’s GroundUP Record Label – House of Waters – debuted at #2 on the iTunes World Music Charts. All About Jazz calls it, “A rare and beautiful gem,” while TimeOutNY calls their performances “A sight to behold.”

Gear

David's dulcimer; Fodera guitars; Notario Cajons.


Tags

10
Album Review

House of Waters: On Becoming

Read "On Becoming" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Flowing in many directions yet forever staying in the moment is largely the challenge and artistic purpose of House of Waters. Here they once again bring forth new and creative concepts that are freely exchanged and intertwined. New beginnings, drawn from multiple sources, as well as further exploration of the past, create the wonder, awe, and awareness of On Becoming. The dulcimer was not part of mainstream culture until Max ZT put it on the map. Joining with six string ...

31
SoCal Jazz

House of Waters: The Fresh Fountain of Fusion

Read "House of Waters: The Fresh Fountain of Fusion" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Fascinating is the first word that comes to mind, followed by insightful, sophisticated, adventurous, engrossing, and perhaps even astounding. Am I making reference to House of Water's most recent record, Rising (GroundUP, 2019) or am referring to a conversation with the three accomplished and notably bright musicians who comprise House of Waters? The answer is yes. Moto Fukushima is a melodic and rhythmic bassist beyond borders. Drummer Ignacio Rivas-Bixio traverses on imaginative percussive journeys. Then there is Max ZT. What ...

21
Album Review

House of Waters: Rising

Read "Rising" reviewed by Jim Worsley


A musical instrument with a sounding board or box, typically trapezoidal in shape, over which strings of graduated length are stretched and played by being struck with handheld hammers. Step to the head of the class if you immediately knew this was describing a dulcimer. It's not an instrument generally associated with jazz. Come to think of it, when was the last time you even heard the word dulcimer used in a sentence? What you WILL hear from ...

9
Album Review

House Of Waters: House Of Waters

Read "House Of Waters" reviewed by Roger Farbey


The eponymous follow-up to House Of Waters's 2012 album Revolution is no less an iconoclastic offering than its predecessor (or the band's previous two albums Peace The Coats and Elsewhere). Iconoclasm here is a relevant noun because the trio's musical approach confounds traditional perspectives. So although not compositionally similar to say, Philip Glass's extraordinary soundtrack Koyaanisqatsi, or Frank Zappa's Hot Rats the overall effect to the uninitiated is just as startling. Even without the occasional addition of extra ...

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“a sight to behold.” TimeOut NY
Primary Instrument

Band / ensemble / orchestra

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Clinic/Workshop Information

Topics of clinic are African rhythms, Indian music, Jazz improvisation/harmony and instrument technique of Hammered Dulcimer, bass, percussion and mountain dulcimer. House of Waters have been invited as clinician to Gebhard Woods Dulcimer Festival, Nutmeg Dulcimer festival and others.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

On Becoming

GroundUP Music
2023

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Rising

GroundUP Music
2019

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House Of Waters

GroundUP Music
2016

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Revolution

Self Produced
2012

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Videos

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