VAS BIOGRAPHY Azam Ali Greg Ellis OFFERINGS is the title of the newest album by the duo Vas - as well as a fascinating development of the unique musical style that vocalist Azam Ali and percussionist Greg Ellis term "alternative world." "Alternative world," says Azam, "is world music in that it is influenced by music from different cultures, but we are of such different backgrounds that the mixture becomes a whole new culture." Greg adds, "Azam's background is firmly affected by Indian music. The Western contribution to the music is the backbeat, the groove. The scales and modes of the melodies are strongly influenced by her Indian music. The percussion then provides the downbeat and the groove." Azam accompanies herself on hammered dulcimer, while Greg draws from American jazz roots as well as a love of Middle Eastern and African rhythms. Azam's fluidly pure voice is primeval and profound, and the visceral pulse and careful embellishments of Greg's percussion vitalize and convey songs in the instinctive vernacular of rhythm. Together in Vas, drum and human voice form an ancient yet timeless marriage of sound. Azam was born in Iran but grew up in India, absorbing its music and culture for 11 years. She and her mother moved to Los Angeles in 1985, and shortly after Azam decided on a career in music. "I could think of nothing else," she says. "It was always my passion." She took five years of lessons from Manoocher Sadeghi, a Persian master of santour (an instrument similar to the hammered dulcimer). Her musical endeavors led her to the discovery of another instrument - her voice. "When I concentrated on singing, I rediscovered the music of my childhood. I had come full circle and found my purest form of expression. My vision was strong, but it was difficult to find other musicians who shared that vision. During those years, Greg had been busy stacking up impressive recording and touring credentials as a drummer with such high-profile and diverse artists as David & David, Mark Curry, and Steve Stevens. Greg, from Los Gatos, California, had studied classical percussion at San Jose State. Feeling stifled by the rudimentary approach to percussion, he moved to Los Angeles. Although he loved touring with first-rate musicians, he grew disenchanted with the cycle of failure when bands did not "fit the mold" their record companies had prepared for them. He got off the road and followed his own musical visions, eventually constructing his own studio and composing and producing soundtracks and film scores. Greg and Azam chanced to meet at a concert, and at a party afterwards Greg heard Azam sing for the first time - and was galvanized. "I had always imagined a voice in my compositions. Azam was that voice I had been hearing for years. It was instant recognition - her voice penetrated me." No words were necessary. In fact, Azam sings in a language of her own design to express feelings too deep and intricate for the simple pattern of words. "I knew I had to invent this language," she says. "Lyrics were limiting, like being locked in a prison cell - I felt trapped in songs that could only have one meaning. I wanted more emotion. "The beauty is that when people listen they can attach their own meaning. Each can interpret the song for themselves. For my part, I truly believe what I am singing." Usually, Azam records the vocals and Greg adds the rest of the instrumentation later, but neither one of them really knows what the song will sound like beforehand. Azam explains, "Until the finishing of a piece, the outcome is just as much a mystery to us as to anyone else. We see ourselves as vessels for music, rather than as its creators." Vas, the Latin word for vessel, describes how Azam and Greg approach - or, perhaps more precisely, receive - their music. Although they are songwriters, it may be as accurate to say that their music completes them. "There's all this music just floating around waiting to be delivered," Azam says, "and we are grateful to be the ones to carry it." OFFERINGS: the new album Vas' second album follows enthusiastic critical acclaim for their debut album, SUNYATA, which featured only Azam and Greg in a unique and elemental statement of mystical, compelling music. No less an authority than Planet Drum author and percussionist Mickey Hart (formerly of the Grateful Dead) described that album as "silky smooth soul music for the next millennium," while Echoes radio host and Billboard music columnist John Diliberto penned, "Vas erects minarets of the soul." A best-seller in its field, SUNYATA was named 1998 Radio Album of the Year by New Age Voice magazine. OFFERINGS expands Vas' distinctive format with additional performers such as innovative cellist Hans Christian and guitar luminary Steve Stevens as well as Omar Faruk Tekbilek (ney, zurna, and an extraordinary vocal on the song Wajad) and Nabil Azzam on Arabic violin. The music of Vas blends spirituality and sensuality in openly human artistic expressions which speak to the core of soul and instinct.