Ancient Isles
Richard Searles is a classically trained guitarist whose performances blend elements of Celtic, Renaissance and World Music influences to create an experience at once soothing and evocative. The rich and melodic sounds of his hand crafted Mattingly guitar bring to vibrant life both the traditional music of a bygone era as well as his own original compositions.Searles developed a keen ear for the enticing sounds of the worlds many musics through travels to Great Britain, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. These broadening experiences are joined together with a natural and deep appreciation of the inherent beauty of the sounds and rhythms of the Earth in a way that makes music which transports the listener into new realms bound only by the imagination.For the past 15 years he has performed and recorded from his home base in Los Angeles where he has recorded nine albums on the Earth Dance Music label.Audiences throughout California and the southwest have responded with great enthusiasm to Richards work; it is with great pleasure that we can now give him the international exposure he so richly deserves.Band members: Richard Searles - Guitars, KeyboardsCharles Zukovsky - RecordersPatricia Mabee - HarpsichordLaura Stone - OboeRon Wagner - Tabla, PercusionDavid Stenske - 1st ViolinEd Persi - 2nd ViolinMatt Funes - ViolaSteve Velez - Cello