Malabar

MALABAR is a collection of 7 multi-cultural musicians playing groovy world music with an emphasis in reggae & soul. Since Malabar entered the Boston Music scene in 2012, they have quickly become a well-known local favorite, holding residencies at Darryl’s Corner Bar & The Middle East. Spicy rhythms complement the fiery Malabar horn section, seducing audiences to dance and enjoy, all the while breaking the barriers between performer and audience member. Malabar looks forward to jamming together with you at their next show.

Latest News

Tuesday, July 8th 2014 – big MALABAR shows coming up!

Hey Malabarians! Malabar will be opening for Bim Skala Bim at The Middle East Downstairs on Thursday, Aug 14th – get your tickets early HERE

Malabar will also be performing on the Main Stage of Boston’s Greenfest 2014 on Sunday Aug 17 – check out the line up for this outdoor festival HERE

Finally, Malabar will be performing live at Johnny D’s with Special Guest DJ Sham on Saturday, Sept 13 – this show will sell out buy tickets online HERE!!! Presale tickets are only $8, tickets at door will be $10.

Tuesday, April 22 – New Youtube Video for Tubifer

Checkout the new youtube video for Tubifer, the first song on Malabar’s new album “The More Things Change” !! See you all on Friday’s show at the Middle East!

Friday, March 21 – Lots of news in March!
We had a great time opening for Rustic Overtones this past Wednesday at Church – Thanks for coming out!
We just confirmed a gig for Mile Marker One’s 2014 July 4th Party in Gloucester. We will be perfoming live in a large tent out on Cape Ann Marina – Hope to celebrate the 4th with all you Malabarians!
Finally, Malabar’s new Album THE MORE THINGS CHANGE is out for purchase. You can pick up your digital copy HERE
See you all at the next Middle East Show on March 28th!

Thursday, Jan 23rd – Malabar recently brought it to a new venue: Church. Great sound, great food and drinks — also earlier showtimes and off-street parking for you suburbanites. Just sayin’. More to come.

Special shout-out to Mia at The Musical Bean who reviewed the show, describing Malabar as “upbeat, spicy, and soul food for your dancing shoes”. Thanks Mia!

Last but not least…as promised, the shots we took of you beautiful people at the last show:

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Upcoming Shows

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The Band

Malabar began as Malabar Mambo in New York City in 2004. The original concept was to play funky and soulful world music that kept people moving. Since its inception, the band has gone through 3 different iterations with band member and name changes, but the musical concept is unchanged: Malabar remains a world music band with influences of various Island music genres. The name Malabar refers to the tropical, multicultural southwest coast of India, which is also the land of Rho’s heritage.
Since Rho reformed Malabar in the Boston area, the band has enjoyed residencies at the well-known Middle East Corner in Cambridge, and Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen in Boston.

Rohit-vocals Rho — Lead Vocals, Guitar
Rho began his musical education with classical violin at the age of 3. Thereafter, he studied jazz and symphonic drums, jazz bass, and is a self taught guitarist and percussionist. He has been composing and performing original music for 18 years. Rho has experience performing reggae, soul, and world music in NYC and Boston in a number of bands. He is proud to be sharing the stage with the talented musicians in Malabar.

Yarami-keyboards, percussion Yarami Castillo — Keyboards, Percussion
Born in Paris and raised in Venezuela, Yarami was educated in music from the age of six at the Esteban Rasquin School of Music, and later the Vicente Emilio Sojo conservatory. He has played many genres of Latin music, including recently with the band Santoral Group who were nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2011. “I’m really enjoying Malabar because it spans so many styles of music, and because Malabar music is a constant party!”

Jean-Marie-drums Jean-Marie Corrois — Drums & Percussion
Originally from the Loire Valley in France, Jean-Marie attended the CIM jazz school in Paris and was soon playing in jazz clubs and festivals throughout France, Africa and the Middle East. In 2000 he moved to the US where he served as a session musician and live performer at cajun, zydeco, and latin festivals most notably with the Bobby Ramirez Band. In 2005, on the invitation of faculty members at Berklee College of Music, he moved to Boston where he created his own jazz quartet playing original music at venues including Ryles and Regattabar. Jean-Marie has studied with great African percussion masters and traslated these styles to the drums, and further extended his rhythm vocabulary in a drums/tabla duo with Amol Khanapurkar. “I’m happy today to be a part of Malabar and to bring my drumming to this fabulous groovy energetic team.”

Paul-saxophone Paul Gatewood — Saxophone, Clarinet, Vocals
As a member of Malabar, Paul has embarked on a new and exciting chapter in his musical career. A Massachusetts native, graduate of Berklee College of Music, and a musician for over 40 years, Paul has performed in bands of all kinds and styles up and down the eastern seaboard, including an original Russian rock band and a 10 piece funk and soul group, as well as numerous jazz and orchestral groups. “Playing island influenced worldbeat music speaks to me of the inclusiveness I feel is essential to making a better world for all of us. I love the way it makes me feel and how it makes me want to dance. I think you will, too. Come and see for yourself.”

Mark-bass, vocals Mark Gibson — Bass, Vocals
Mark began as a classically-trained orchestral clarinet player, playing in a number of professional orchestras and wind ensembles after college before moving to guitar and bass. He has been playing and recording original music in and around Boston for the past 15 years. “Malabar music spans many genres, but I love it because it always grooves. We love playing it and the audience can tell.”

Jesse-trombone Jesse Metzler — Trombone, Percussion
When Jesse plays the trombone, it stays played. He performs in a number of area ensembles with long and clever names, such as the “Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band” and the “New England Philharmonic.” His extensive training and experience in music allows him to transcribe horn lines faster than Rho can sing them. He also has perfect pitch whenever a trombone is nearby.
Jesse offers lessons in the Cambridge area. His website is jessemetzler.com

Hitomi-trumpet
Hitomi Taguchi — Trumpet
Hitomi Taguchi has been playing Trumpet for over 20 years. Born in Osaka, Japan, Hitomi Taguchi started to take a real interest in music at age three. She never asked her parents for any toys but when she saw a grand piano for the first time she really begged her parents to buy it. Seeing Hitomi had an interest in music and the piano, her parents gave her a gift of a small toy piano. She then started to learn the classical piano. After moving to Nagoya with her family, Hitomi began playing trumpet in order to join brass band in her school at the age of eight. She graduated from the Koyo Concervatory Music School in 2005 and was offered a scholarship to study music at Berklee College of Music, where she graduated in 2009.