“What do you get when you mix synthesizers, theremins, traditional folk instruments, and electronic drums with a multitalented, multicultural, classically trained keyboardist (with a degree in electronic music) and a New York jazz drummer?
The answer is Xenovibes (founder-composer-music technologist Shueh-li Ong and, USA core member-percussionist John A Martinez.)” ~ Mike Levine, editor, Electronic Musician magazine.
[For Shueh-li’s latest adventures, read her Blog]
IN THE BEGINNING – foreign+expressions
Created in 2003, Xenovibes began as the sonic melange of Singapore’s 1st and only diva of the theremin.
Conjoining her Australian-Asian heritage with her classical-music tech training, XV is also the stage on which Shueh-li Ong lets down her hair down in virtuosic synthesizer performance. XV is synonymous with the faces of Shueh-li & Dallas based percussionist, John Anthony Martinez, the group’s other core touring member since its premier in 2004, which witnessed the release of the CD and show ideal.
The CDs bear Ong’s sound design, composition/studio production style whilst the shows carry the passion and aggression of live performance. XV features guest artists in performance.
THE SHOW – disparate musical souls coming together in a stream of consciousness exchange.
Visualise Shueh-li stroking the ego of her Theremin, tin-whistles and guqin, and executing extended synth techniques alongside John’s drumming savoir faire. Then a slew of artists collide in a stream of consciousness exchange of Classical, Ethnic, Electronic, Funk, Psychedelic rock and Latin rhythms!
To complement the core band of Shueh-li and John, artistes are selected from the city Xenovibes performs in, who possess the discipline of classical training and the flexibility of jazz performance.
THE LIFESTYLE – ancient art meets new world technology, east meets west.
XV promotes the conjoining of the past with the present to preserve the future in a powerful message, sans frontière. The noun Xenovibes and its lifestyle concept came about from Shueh-li’s need to explain the way she brings together her heritage, influences, training and philosophy in her work as an instrument builder, composer, playwright, performer and producer.
Artists who have played &/or recorded with Xenovibes include :
Dean Parks ~ Guitar
[Steely Dan, Madonna, Bocelli, J Lo, Celine Dion, David Foster and movies; Home Alone 2, Mummy Returns]
Curtis Randall ~ Bass
[Band director for LeAnn Rimes during the height of her career]
Mike McKinney ~ Bass
[Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Michael Murphy, The Jacksons Live album, Dave Grusin, Sergio Mendes, Yarbrough & Peoples, Nelly, Jackson 5 Victory tour]
Chuck Smith ~ Bass
[Najee, Joe McBride, Pamela Williams, Kirk Whalum, Kenny Blake and Jeff Lorber]
George Anderson ~ Bass
[Marilyn McCoo, Jennifer Holliday, Ricardo Arjona]
Bernard Wright ~ Keys
[Lenny White, Erykah Baduh, Tom Browne, Marcus Miller, Miles Davis, Bobby Brown, Roberta Flack. His album ‘Nard’ was produced by Grusin/Rosen while signed to GRP in 1981, with ‘Funky Beat’ for Arista and ‘Mr. Wright’ for Manhattan/EMI.]
Tyrone Smith ~ Keys
[Boney James, Regina Belle, Allen Vizzutti, Doc Severinsen, Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Kenny Rogers, Al Green, Johnnie Taylor, Alex Bugnon]
Bill Ham ~ Guitar
[Israfel (TX), The Yellow Payges (LA), Sonny and Cher Show, Toto, Cher, David Gates & Bread, Freddie Fender and Joan Armatrading]
Jeff Long ~ Guitar
[RadioActive Singapore, BMG-Zomba Asia licensing Manager]
Michael Spicer ~ Keys, flute and electronic wind [Redgum Australia, Electric Muse Singapore]
Boo (Jerry) Massey ~ Guitar
[Ronnie Laws, Tom Browne, Jim Carne, John Lamonica]
Shelley Carrol ~ Saxophone and Flute
[Duke Ellington Orchestra, Maureen McGovern, Benny Golson Big Band, Roger Waters ]
Jeremy Bustillos ~ Ewi (electronic wind)
[The Four Tops, Bill Tillman, Barry Manilow, Salsa Y Mas and The New Tokyo Jazz Orchestra]
FACE – DJ, Keys, trumpet
[FACE Recording Band]
Jennifer Perryman ~ Keys
[Mars Hill Band]
Xenovibes is on hiatus but welcomes enquiries regarding performances.