House of Waters; And Now For Something Completely Different, A Unique Mixture of Jazz, World Music, and Hammered Dulcimer



Photos courtesy of House of Waters

House of Waters - House of Waters
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The New York Music Daily referred to House of Waters as "one of the most original bands on the planet."
National Public Radio (NPR) called Max ZT, "The Jimi Hendrix of the hammered dulcimer."

House of Waters is a musically unique threesome who combine jazz, world music, and virtuosic musicianship on the hammered dulcimer, the 6-stringed bass, and percussion instruments. One of the most original and exciting releases of 2016 is House of Waters' self-titled fourth album. You can tour the world and never leave your listening room. Even if you don't think you are into jazz or world music, you need hear this.

These guys are ultra serious about their craft. Their biography provides some detail of their musical background.
House of Waters’ music is both complex and easy to enjoy, a musical exploration that invites listeners to open themselves to new sounds. One of those sounds is that of Max’s instrument, the hammered dulcimer, a percussion/stringed instrument that takes years of study and spans dozens of cultures around the globe. Most often associated with traditional American and Irish folk music, Max has taken the instrument in entirely new directions. “I’ve been playing it since I was 7,” says Max. “And my folks reminded me I first fell in love with it when I was 2: I saw it performed at an exhibit opening, walked up to it, sat underneath and just listened to it for hours.”

Moto had a similar experience with the 6-stringed bass and it has defined his life ever since. His study of Western Classical music, Japanese traditional music and the African inspired musical sensibilities of South America, coupled with his undeniable virtuosity, adds a breath-taking element to the group’s total sound. Luke studied with the legendary Hamza El Din, while Max studied with traditional musicians in Senegal and continues to learn from Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, India’s master of the santoor (an ancestor of the hammered dulcimer.) “That experience,” says Max, “opened me up to a whole separate world of traditions and philosophical thought.” Joining forces has given each artist an opportunity to stretch their chosen instruments, to take risks to expand both the music and themselves. In the process, audiences cannot help but be thrilled by the enormity of their sound.
Watch "17"


Tracklist - Click on the song title to listen.
01.La Semana (Moto Fukushima)
02. Save Home (Moto Fukushima / Luke Notary / Max ZT)
03. Hamza (Priya Darshini / Moto Fukushima / Luke Notary / Max ZT)
04. The Falls (Luke Notary)
05.Francesco (Moto Fukushima)
06. Black Mallard (Moto Fukushima / Scott Mercado / Max ZT)
07. Forming the Emptiness (Moto Fukushima)
08. In Waves (Moto Fukushima / Max ZT)
09. Patience (Max ZT)
10. 17 (Moto Fukushima / Max ZT)
11. Juice (Moto Fukushima / Max ZT)

Watch House of Waters' Electronic Press Kit (EPK)


Personnel include Max ZT on hammered dulcimer and percussion; Moto Fukushima on six string bass guitar; Luke Notary on drums, percussion, and kamelen ngoni. Album guest performances include Priya Darshini, vocals on track 3; Dave Eggar plays cello on track 5; Sam Sadigursky plays flute and clarinet on track 5.

Put on this self-titled album by House of Waters and strap in. You might not know the destination but you are sure going to enjoy the ride.

The Iconique Music Group reports that House of Waters are currently on tour in support of this album, which reached #2 on iTunes' world music chart, released on Snarky Puppy's label GroundUP Music/Verve Label Group. The Spring of 2017 will find them out on a European tour with Snarky Puppy, followed by U.S. appearances.

Bonus Videos:

Watch House of Waters on episode 45 of "Caught In The Act", Brooklyn Independent Television, aired on 1/25/2012.


Watch House of Waters perform on the Union Square subway platform, N.Y., 2011.



House of Waters' Website
House of Waters' Facebook
House of Waters' Twitter
House of Waters' Instagram

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