Ping Pong Pang: World Fusion in 3D

On a sunny day in May of this year, three accomplished musicians went into a recording studio, their first time playing together as a trio. Then they just played. The result is Ping Pong Pang — the name of the trio and their album, just released on Right Brain Records. If you follow the label, two of their names are familiar. Seattle luminary Amy Denio plays clarinet, saxophone and accordion and adds vocals in spots. Cellist extraordinaire James Hoskins, who has recorded with Vickie Dodd and Spontanea, does his thing on cello, bouzouki and gadulka (Bulgarian variant of the violin). Percussion wizard Kai Strandskov may be a new name to you, but remember it; he works magic with his bag of many tricks.

So what’s their music? Take a listen here.

It’s all acoustic. It’s a collage that’s heavily influenced by world music traditions, the Balkans and mideast in particular. (In fact, Amy is touring in Croatia as I write this.) It’s also completely improvised. The music ebbs, flows, twists, chills and rocks. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, expect a sharp left turn or side trip down a rabbit hole. Ping Pong Pang is subtly experimental yet sounds warmly familar, like an old friend who’s just returned from a long journey. It’s a rare example of something truly unique emerging when people come together, connected by the shared language of music.

Learn more about Ping Pong Pang here, and click the image below to hear their sounds.