byzantium music & dance of the near east
live music for bellydance & folkdance
... parties, festivals, cultural events, Rennaisance Faires
Byzantium plays traditional, authentic Near Eastern Music. (read about the instruments) Daniel has played and toured throughout the Western USA and Canada including: CA, OR, WA, MT, ID, NV, UT, and B.C.
The Byzantium Dancers perform traditional Greek, Turkish, and Armenian folk dances as well as historically-inspired, entertaining folkloric & tribal style bellydance.
byzantium live with the byzantium dancers
bookings & contact
e-mail Daniel or Natasya
tele: 805-640-5858 or 805-640-5781
the instruments
Turkish Saz, an Anatolian long-necked lute used since the 1200s. At the The height of its popularity (in the 1400s) the saz was played as far west as Venice through trade between the Ottomans and Venezians. 7 strings, movable frets.
Oud, a Turkish & Arabic lute very similar to the European Rennaisance era Lute. 11 strings, no frets.
Hurdy Gurdy, a cranked, stringed instrument that became popular during the rennaisance era throughout both Eastern and Western Europe. Daniel plays a Ukranian instrument similar to hurdy gurdies historically used in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Baltic regions.
Cimbus, a more "modern" (c.1800s) banjo-like instrument played by the Turkish and Macedonian Romanes (Gypsies) and also used in Greek Rebetika music and some Kurdish music.
Greek Baglama, a tiny bouzouki used for Rebetika and traditional Greek music.
Dumbek, Frame Drum, Davul & Tupan
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performance credits
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Ojai Day
Ventura Art Walk
Ventura College
Ventura Bellydance Festival
Balkanalia! (Portland, OR Balkan dance festival)
Vesselo Festival (Eugene Oregon folk dance festival)
Portland Art Museum (w/ Brothers of the Baladi)
Various Multi-cultural events at Ventura and Oxnard schools
International Dance Festival (Oak Park, Santa Barbara CA)
Santa Barbara Greek Festival
University of California, Santa Barbara
(UCSB)
Middle Eastern Music Ensemble
Ojai Pirate Festival
Santa Barbara Renaissance Fair
Equinox Tribal Bellydance Festival (Ojai)
about daniel
Daniel Eshoo is a native of Ojai, California where he grew up following the rich musical traditions of his father, Dan Eshoo Sr. (a popular kanun and oud player now living and performing in Berkeley, CA).
Daniel has performed at many Belly Dance festivals and taught saz (Turkish lute) at the world renowned University of California Santa Barbara Middle Eastern Music and Dance Ensemble. From 2004 - 2007 he lived in Portland, OR where he performed and recorded with Brothers of the Baladi. In addition to his skill as a musician, Daniel also is an artisan drum crafter. Please visit our shopping pages to see a selection of his hand-made drums.
Outside link to
Brothers of the Baladi featuring daniel eshoo on saz and oud
L-R: Brad Buley, Daniel Eshoo, Dan Eshoo Sr.
playing
at Ventura Bellydance Festival