Biography

ON THIS YEAR'S GRAMMY BALLOT !

Native American FLUTE paired with the HANG DRUM.

“The Shape of Light” by the award winning Jeff Ball Band will be on the upcoming ballot in the New Age category for this year’s Grammy nominations. This is a unique soothing and meditative release built around Jeff Ball’s Native American Flute playing and the Hang Drum, (a recently invented – melodic and rhythmic metal hand drum that resembles a flying saucer). Hang playing is by Percussionist Ted Natale and guest band member Ron Kravitz.

The video link on the Jeff Ball Air Play Direct page is a live version of the song “Escape of Medicine Man” from The Shape of Light album. More videos are on You Tube -(Search for Jeff Ball Hang).

When you hear Jeff Ball play the Native American courting flute...the solemn beauty of it is inescapable. Jeff Ball, calling the Washington DC area his home, started out as a soloist, but through the writing and recording collaborations on his previous 3 albums, he has ended up with a band.

The current incarnation of the band has in a way been in the making for some 10 years. The musicians have known each other through the very diverse local music scene in the Washington area...supporting each others' endeavors in the past...crossing paths along the way in the studio, at clubs, and festivals. All have released their own works separately in different genres. They have ended up together, feeling compelled to collaborate with a distinctive energy blending their musical styles into a near mystical sound.

John Natale plays guitar, Randy Ball handles the bass, and Ted Natale plays the drums and percussion including the Hang drum. The players borrow inspiration from a myriad of musical backgrounds. You will hear the distant influence of Pink Floyd or detect a fleeting moment that leaves you thinking Zeppelin. With a range of influences from Bela Fleck/Martin Medeski & Wood...to RadioHead/StevieWonder...
"There is always something distantly recognizable"...says Ball.

The band, (simply deciding to use their flautist/front man's name)...wanted to build a tasteful bridge between the tonal emotions and spiritual melodies projected by this ancient instrument and the modern world of more contemporary style. By exploring the boundaries of the instrument...they have done just that without forsaking the haunting, stilling, sound of the flute as the focus of the orchestration.

As for his personal inspiration for playing an instrument that few in the western world have become acquainted with...Jeff looks to known masters like Douglas Spotted Eagle, R. Carlos Nakai and John Ranier Jr. His hope was to incorporate the elements of what he liked best in their styles so that he could produce a style that he felt was unique to his playing.