Denveras Jūrmalnieki
roots and trivia
Denveras Jūrmalniekiroots and trivia |
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Denveras Jūrmalnieki
wasn't always as it is now. The original group was Aleks, Eriks,
and Martins. They wanted to play music that was popular during
the early 20s and 30s-era Latvia. They formed a sort of
"music-combo" during the summer of 1992 just for
kicks. Just to make themselves feel more serious about the
undertaking, they gave themselves the name of "Kalnu Viri"
(Mountain Men). As Denver is at the foot of the Rockies, it
seemed appropriate.
Well, the whole thing sounded a bit like a cat on a hot griddle, but they happily continued practicing. Finally the time came to play at the 18. Nov. program's dance were they had volunteered to play the music. They played their hearts out and people seemed to really enjoy it.
"Kalnu Vīri" (Mountain Men) occasionally would play for the Latvian community in Denver, but the band thought they were missing some sound or other. They asked Astra to play the alternate percussion, such as the washboard, trejdeksnis, etc. She gladly agreed and so the group grew by one. But now the group was not only men. So what to do...
They
decided to rename the group, Jurmalnieki (Sea-side people) It
was actually a joke, given that Colorado is totally land-locked.
But everyone thought it was a good name and so it stuck.
Jurmalnieki generally played for the Latvian community but occasionally they were asked to play for the American community at festivals and such.
After three or four years, Jurmalnieki still were missing the sound they really wanted and so Astra started playing the autoharp. The sound was fantastic, but what about the alternate percussion? Daiga joined the happy crew and with all five it was good. Jurmalnieki finally found the sound they wanted! (Amazing, isn't it?)
Since that time, Jurmalnieki have consisted of 5 people, even if we can't all always make it to gigs. Unfortunately, we all have to earn a living...
We get our music from the great musical heritage of the Latvian culture - from books, songs we've heard growing up, from friends, celebrations, community, and the songs that Eriks composes.
Our roots are in the old-style, turn-of-the-century folk groups. We get together when our jobs for the day are done, when we have a free moment and such. We all play in our own style and it just somehow meshes together. We all like music and it would seem that the muses occasionally visit us...
We have quite a variety of instruments from a variety of sources. A small inventory
As you can see, the list is quite extensive and includes many others not listed, but let's leave it at that....