Jongleurs Dance

Product Description

In medieval Europe, jongleurs (literally translated as jugglers) were multi-talented travelling entertainers. Performing as acrobats, dancers, mimes, storytellers and singers, they were also expected to play a number of musical instruments. While usually uneducated and often looked down upon by society, they could be found performing anywhere from the marketplace to the royal courts, playing a key role in the spread of stories, song and dance music from region to region. Much of the music on this recording would have been performed by jongleurs. In this case, the songs and dances have been arranged instrumentally for recorders, shawm, hammered dulcimer, guitars, oud, hurdy gurdy, double bass and percussion. Richard Searles plays recorders, shawm, hammered dulcimer, guitars and oud. Curtis Berak plays hurdy gurdy, Tim Powell acoustic bass and Ron Wagner percussion.

About the Artist

The instrumental music of Richard Searles incorporates a unique fusion of medieval, renaissance, celtic, and world music styles using both period and modern instruments.