WOMAD

Celloman

From United Kingdom

Biography by Andy Morgan, June 2003:On reflection, the gap that separates the seemingly alien worlds of classical and pop music seems absurd and unnecessary. Breaking down this spurious barrier is usually the preserve of far-sighted and courageous souls who recognise only two essential categories: good music and bad music. Ivan ‘Celloman’ Hussey received a classical education at the Guildhall School of Music in London but became a little distracted when he was asked to join the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 17. He went on to perform and collaborate with Soul II Soul on their groundbreaking hits ‘Keep on Moving’ and ‘Back to Life’, which surely features one of the greatest string arrangements in pop history. Hussey also contributed his virtuosity as a cellist and arranger to the work of Stereo MCs, Incognito, D’Influence, Duran Duran, The Lighthouse Family, Smoke City and Gabrielle, for whom he scored the string parts for the megahit ‘Dreams’. A three year break in the Middle East impregnated Hussey with a deep love and knowledge of Arabic music and classical Egyptian Pop, which is also a trove of wonderful string orchestrations. It was during a recording session in Jamaica that Hussey was referred to by the studio engineer as ‘the celloman’ and thus stumbled on his stage moniker. Mashing together all his obsessions and loves; dub, reggae, soul, Arabic music, creamy string arrangements and classical music, Celloman embarked on a groundbreaking solo career, pushing the boundaries of his instrument and his imagination both on-stage and in the studio. His debut album ‘Maya‘ is a must; for fans of classical, pop, and most points in between.Biography supplied by management, April 2003:Celloman’s debut album “Aquador” was released in April 2001 to reviews such as “Sensuous and funky” (Observer) and “A must buy” (HMV Choice). The second album “Maya” was released last June. It has a recognisable Celloman sound but is littered with new flavours and treasures. ‘Always’ and ‘Chebba’ from ‘Aquador’, are included on two compilation albums ‘Zen and the Art of Chilling’, and ‘Indestructible Arabian Beats’.Celloman’s live venues are as broad as his audience, who favour musical styles as diverse as world and classical, to dance and heavy metal. Celloman is a great festival act as can be seen this summer at Glastonbury, Womad, Respect, Off the Tracks and Global Fusion at Pestalozzi.Ivan (Celloman) Hussey trained classically at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama until he was 17 when he “took to the dark side” and joined the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra. Fortunately, Ivan’s academic tutors were sufficiently accommodating to give him permission to leave his English A’ Level class early, so that he could attend a recording session with Terence Trent D’arby. We have all heard or seen Ivan before, as his touring and recording credits embrace the spectrum of musical flavours. He cut his recording teeth with Soul 11 Soul on the classic first album, (remember ‘Back to Life’ and Keep on ‘Moving’?), and went on to work with artists such as Gabrielle (Ivan also wrote the strings sections for “Dreams”), Smoke City, Stereo MCs, Shola Ama, Lynden David Hall, Incognito, D’Influence, The Lighthouse Family, Duran Duran, Mick Jagger and many more. After living, and playing in bands in the Middle East for three years, the unique, indefinable Celloman recipe of warm Middle Eastern rhythms, Soul influences and touches of reggae was complete. If you ask Ivan why he uses the name ‘Celloman’, he would tell you “Because the instrument is the star”. Ivan first heard the term ‘Celloman’ at a recording session in Jamaica. The producer didn’t know his name and so cued him according to his instrument. The notion stuck and Ivan recognised that the crucial thing was to take the cello to ears which may otherwise have missed it. Similarly, to place the cello in partnership with other instruments, highlighting the inherent beauty of each.