The Just Desserts

Europe tour 2009

WORLD FUSION STAGE SHOW:
“Curators of delightful musical delicacies from every corner of the globe.” Equally comfortable re-inventing old songs in new styles as re-interpreting new songs in old styles, The Just Desserts cook up musical masterpieces full of mystery and delight, evoking passion, playfulness and intrigue through their discerning selection of repertoire with roots in dozens of different countries. As a duo or an expanded band, The Just Desserts capture audience’s hearts, minds, and bodies the world over with finesse, elegance, groove, sweetness, and an almost whimsical command of their instruments.

The Just Desserts’ versatility never fails to surprise audiences. Sometimes sultry, always compelling and every once and a while silly, a show can move from a light hearted polka to the depths and tension of tango and back again, all turning on a dime. Above all else, the hallmark of this band from the “Live Music Capital of the World” (Austin, Texas, USA) is their fearless and brilliant cross-pollination of elements from different musical traditions into one song.

Take a traditional Catalunyan melody, made famous by Pablo Casals, play it on a trumpet, lay it on the bed of a New Orleans conga groove and you might not be surprised when the next song you hear is an Argentinian tango “modernized” by adding North Indian tablas. All this, of course, is just the cherry on top of The Just Desserts. The unmistakable, if unlikely, pairing of an accordion and a cello defines the singular sound of the group, whether it be the duo or the expanded ensemble you are listening to.

OTHER PROGRAMS:
-Tangos, milongas, and waltzes for dancing (music for tango-milongas); Social Partner Dances: tango, swing, waltz, two-step, international folk, klezmer, Latin; House concerts; Weddings; Children’s music program; Early-American popular (including sing-alongs) for older adults/retirees; American holiday music programs, (Christmas, Valentine's, patriotic) Sing-along books available; Music for film, theater, and dance.

COLLABORATIONS:
Marionette puppet show, Tango dance performance, modern dance, belly dance, gypsy jazz (w/ Nuages from Ecuador), Cyril Neville

WORKSHOPS:
Collaborative Composition: for musicians and "remembering musicians" alike, a workshop for encouraging personal expression, group cohesion, and inter-disciplinary creative process.

TESTIMONIALS:
“Whenever I hear you, I feel transported to another land, another time!”
“You guys have amazing chemistry, everyone can tell you are having the time of your lives up there.”
“What a satisfying variety! Every tune is like a trip around the world!”
“The best dance band in Austin! You guys are amazing!”
“Made my hair stand up on my skin.”
“I haven’t seen anything like that since I lived in France!”
“You are an inspiration!”
“The most requested band at our club.”

EDUCATION/INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS:
The Just Desserts is also more than just a performance ensemble. The Just Desserts further their mission ("To encourage exploration, expression, and inclusion through music and culture in the global community") by offering workshops, classes and presentations to groups of all kinds, ages and sizes. These interactive, educational, therapeutic and motivational workshops are appropriate for musicians and “remembering” musicians alike, and their content and duration can be adapted and modified for the needs of any particular group. All programs are adaptable for all ages and group sizes, and can be presented in any time-frame, from one-hour presentations to multi-day workshops. These workshops are appropriate for musicians and “remembering” musicians alike, and their content can be modified for the needs of any particular group. Music and musical activities are used as a vehicle for achieving the goals of participating individuals and the group as a whole. Examples of workshop goals may be: elevated confidence, strengthened group unity and cooperation, enhanced creativity, expanded personal expression, improved communication, increased or “remembered” musicianship, global awareness, and good old-fashioned joy. Programs can be presented in English or Spanish, and prior musical experience not necessary. Todos los programas pueden ser presentados en espanol.