Bright Hawk has over 20 years experience as a percussionist. Her background began with African rhythms on the Djembe, branched out into marimba, and now is combined on the hand pan, Hang PANAart. The Hang is a very special instrument and for sure deserves the attention it gets but also neglecting to bring Bright Hawk’s percussion talents to the stage would leave us all missing out.
Bright Hawk is best known for her work on the Djembe and most people in the drumming world know who she is and respect her talents. She drums along side may names and along with many well known bands, including String Cheese Incident. Her percussion abilities are rarely matched and she is unique among other female drummers. Bright Hawk has had a long time vision of playing with a DJ for parties, concerts, and shows.
Recently she joined forces with Izzy Ahee, a new DJ, creating the Crazy Monkeys. Simply a DJ who lays down some fun beats that fit the audience. Songs that inspire our hearts, bring life to your feet, and bring community together with music. Their debut show is at Cannon Mine Coffee in Lafeyette, CO on March 31st, 2016 at 7pm.
Tired of the same old thing? Need something positive and upbeat? When I am looking for a live music show to see I want something that’s gonna help me lift my mood. I love music and find that I am deeply effected by the mood of the music. Sometimes I need space to scream and yell to some crazy angry song, this way I can move past those emotions. Most of the time though I am in need of soothing, comforting, positive and upbeat music.
Bright Hawk was invited back to the Laughing Goat for a concert in February 2016. She was blessed enough to follow an amazing couple Marcel & Janelle. “Michigan-formed, Denver-based duo Marcel & Janelle offer a fresh mix of IndieSoul music with a positive vibe, entertaining show & original tunes” This statement from their website is a perfect description! Marcel’s talent to create romantic mood music with his electric guitar was impressive & I have witnessed some of the best in person! I loved his style, talent, and use of technology but was mostly impressed at his super positive attitude. Janelle’s voice was electrifying to the soul! The lyrics were original compositions and I found myself impressed at their style. My favorite part though was the romantic feel to the entire show. Celebrating their love for each other fills my heart for my own personal love life. This show would be highly recommended for that special date with a new lover or a long time spouse.
Bright Hawk followed them up with some of her best original compositions! The Hang PANArt is known for its soothing vibrations. When Bright Hawk plays it, its like sinking into your most comfortable chair. The interesting and unique sounds keep it fun to listen to. Her intricate rhythms communicate the mood for the song. All of her songs on the Hang PANArt are original compositions. One song she plays on both the underneath and the top of the instrument in a way that is impressive to watch. Having the ability to keep a back rhythm with one hand and create melodic rhythms with the other. This composition she calls “Singing with Whales”. It easily communicates the gentle rocking of being in water, the soothing sensation of water is brought to life through the Hang PANArt. Her unique playing style and talents as a percussionist are impressive and inspiring on this unique and fantastic instrument.
Bright Hawk delivered small stories and tales to go along with her compositions. The audience was impressed not only with this unique instrument and her obvious skills, but of the depth her stories helped us connect to her music. Her short stories tied into where or why she composed each song. Her stories included those of loss and sadness but also of joy, celebration and even a fun Irish song/story. One of her little stories tells of when she was a child and use to fantasize about swimming with whales. A wild childhood fantasy that most of us could relate to. The stories helped set up the tone for each song, using the music to enhance the story and visa/versa. This style is like that of a folk or country singer that has stories in their music, but they usually use as string instrument. Bright Hawk uses what she calls a “Spaceship”.
Her concert was filled with tons of music, upbeat energy, and positive messages. I felt inspired and uplifted by the time the show was over. I noticed that the audience felt the same way and many people were inspired to spread love in our world. At this time the only way to experience this extra special musical storytelling journey is to catch a live show with Bright Hawk. Keep up with her schedule by subscribing to this blog or social media of your choice.
Bright Hawk began seriously building herself as a musician in the last year. Bright Hawk has been a musician her entire life and was raised with opportunities to explore her talents in the fine arts. As Bright Hawk began to build a presence in the last few months right here in Colorado we laid our eyes on Swallow Hill Music. This venue is a music school with a historic stage that has featured several well known musicians. In Denver, and the surrounding area, this venue hosts hundreds of up and coming artists and often boosts them into a career.
There are several approaches a musician could take to get noticed at this very important venue. Bright Hawk went to their open mic because I was very confident that they would see the same amazing percussionist I see! I was right! They invited her back after seeing her live at the open mic with just three songs on the Hang PANArt. I knew her unique style and instrument would get their attention.
I am writing this to announce a big MILESTONE for Bright Hawk. Not only is she booked with 5 shows/events in February, a festival in Costa Rica but she is being brought in front of a VIP at Swallow Hill Music. This is big news and I am confident they will be just as pleased with her 20 minute show. Its very possible this opportunity could lead Bright Hawk to having more shows at Swallow Hill Music, a big achievement in a musician’s life.
Her regular practicing and fresh compositions on the Hang PANArt are opening a world made of her dreams. This is an honor for her and a moment of celebration. Also, if you live in Colorado and are able to come out and support the show, this is the time. This is that one time that you could really help Bright Hawk’s career. So I ask that if your schedule and location allow, please do this one easy and fun thing to lift up your favorite musician! FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE FOR SWALLOW HILL
Bright Hawk productions had a substantial growth spurt this Spring and is working hard to get everything in order before the summer tour. Have you noticed the greatly improved website? We are still working on setting up all our social networking, look out for that to become more prominent. In our preparation we have done some video and photo shoots. I am grateful to have the support of a team including Hollis Taylor as business manager and Arial Taylor as a graphic artist and general office manager. Together we are working to build Bright Hawk Productions! Here is a little peak at some of the photos we too at our shoot. The excitement builds as the season begins with “Rites of Spring” in Massachusetts. This is the thirty-seventh annual Rites of Spring — “a gathering open to all who celebrate the sacred nature of the Earth”. I am excited to share my music and stories with the community in MA like I have for so many years past. This community uplifts the soul and feeds the heart. I hope to see you all there! The next part of my tour will continue with Unifier Festival, a “Transformational Healing & Expressive Arts Festival”. I am excited to come together in service with Jason Cohen for this spectacular festival. Watching this festival grow and bloom into the amazing transformational experience it is today has been inspirational. If you want to be part of a community that is creative and healing I encourage your attendance! The next part of my tour is being hosted by a generous soul in Vernon Township, NJ that will be supporting Let’s Dance tour throughout the area. We are currently booking in the NJ area including Newark, NJ – Scranton, PA – Poughkeepsie, NY. If you are interested in booking Let’s Dance to come to your nursing facility, memory care home, adult day care, independent/assisted living community, or other special needs community or event please contact Let’s Dance immediately! We are currently taking bookings for this area from June 16-25th 2015. Just in time Midsummer will enchant us when we visit New York Faerie Festival in Harpursville, NY. New York Faerie Festival, A Midsummer’s Dream, is full of “Elfin & Sylvan Folk, Wood Sprites & Faerie Folk, and All the Humans who still Believe in Magic” It is the perfect place and time to “Escape from ordinary Reality… into Magical Play!” I am excited to share the Hang PANArt to help create the magical and playful atmosphere that is the theme of this festival. I will also provide storytelling for those that enjoy the experience of live storytelling. This event is close to my heart and I am excited to be part of the magic. We plan to carry the magic from land of the fae to York, PA where Let’s Dance is already booked all over the Central PA area including Harrisburg, York, and Carlisle. We still have a few openings for any senior/elderly community and other special needs communities. I am also available for other concerts in the area between June 29th and July 6th, 2015. July the 7th we begin our journey to Starwood Festival where we celebrate 35 years with a very important community. I am honored to be facilitating the Alchemical Fire Circle on Friday night as well as offering a Hang PANArt concert and Storytelling workshop earlier in the week. Also if you register before May 23rd you can mention this post for a $20 Rebate. We are excited about this opportunity and grateful for all the support we have had from the community. We appreciate all of our support from a simple “like” on facebook to those that are helping with transportation, hosting or networking for gigs. When we support people, businesses, and ideas that align with our values we can unite for a brighter future. Thank you for all your support! Blissings!
Bright Hawk performs around the world and is available for transformational healing programs, workshops, yoga classes, retreats, events and gatherings. Excellent at performing at venues large and small, she brings sweetness to a garden party, wedding, house concert, coffee houses and theaters. She is a featured performer at many festivals as both a musician and storyteller.
Bright Hawk is gifted at playing many instruments and has been performing, teaching and playing music throughout her life, in a variety of venues around the world including hospitals, hospice, schools, yoga classes, and healing programs. She also has a marimba band in Boulder, Colorado that is well loved. Currently, she plays the PanArt music in hospice care facilities and is a certified hospice volunteer in Boulder, Colorado.
Her CD, Echoes of the Deep Waters with Sacred Side Project is a favorite for its deeply healing, relaxing and inspiring music. Practitioners around the world are finding it helpful in supporting people on their healing journey.
Sacred Side Project featuring Bright Hawk, Jason Cohen, Eric Freeman, Chris Baum
Bright Hawk has a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude from California State University Long Beach. As a musician, she is playing and supporting healing programs through her music on the Hang PanArt around the world. A compassionate humanitarian, Bright Hawk is building a life of doing what she loves and loving what she does.
Let’s Dance — Healing with Music and Movement offers programs for the cognitively impaired using music and movement to engage in moments of joy, providing stress relief, physical exercise and big smiles!
The Let’s Dance program provides a unique vibrational setting and healing sound experience through the music of the Hang PanArt instrument played by Bright Hawk; complimented by Hollis Taylor’s gentle guidance and movement with the participants. Together they create a peaceful, safe, collaborative environment within which to engage, relax, and respond in natural and joyful ways.
