Meet the musicians behind the Ekwe music library
Ekwe’s core music library is crafted by over 30 master musicians from around the globe, recording in three major creative hubs: Germany, New York, and Las Vegas. Our collection bridges ancient and contemporary worlds, offering an unmatched range of instruments and sounds that empower musicians, educators, and creators alike.
Meet a few of these remarkable artists below!
Adam Rudolph
Adam Rudolph, a pioneering composer, percussionist, and improviser, has profoundly influenced global jazz and avant-garde music over the past four decades. Celebrated as a "world music pioneer" by the New York Times, Rudolph has released more than 25 albums featuring his original compositions and genre-crossing collaborations. His ensembles—including Moving Pictures, Hu: Vibrational, and the innovative Go: Organic Orchestra—showcase his unique conducting and notation systems, merging musical traditions from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
Raised in Chicago's Hyde Park, Rudolph was deeply shaped by early exposure to blues and African American improvisational music. In 1978, he co-founded The Mandingo Griot Society, a pioneering ensemble blending African and American music, and has collaborated with icons like Yusef Lateef and Don Cherry. His studies of Indian tabla and exploration of Lateef's Autophysiopsychic Music have enriched his understanding of music as a spiritual, unifying force.
Rudolph continues to lead cross-cultural collaborations, connecting diverse musical traditions through his visionary approach. For the Ekwe instrument library, he played nearly 50 instruments and recruited over 20 world-renowned musicians, greatly contributing to the library's diversity and depth.
The conga is a tall, narrow, hand-played drum with African roots, primarily used in Afro-Cuban music styles like salsa, rumba, and son. Made of wood or fiberglass, with a skin head, congas produce a rich, resonant tone and are played in sets of two or more.
Julie Spencer and Gernot Blume
Julie Spencer and Gernot Blume are distinguished multi-instrumentalists and composers celebrated for their innovative fusion of world music, jazz, and classical traditions. A pioneer of contemporary hand drumming, Julie is known for her expressive percussion work and deeply evocative compositions, drawing inspiration from a wide array of global musical cultures. Gernot, a versatile harpist, guitarist, and pianist, brings his background in jazz and ethnomusicology to create complex, immersive soundscapes. Together, they blend their talents in projects that emphasize cross-cultural exploration, producing performances and recordings that resonate with emotional depth and technical brilliance. They collectively contributed nearly 50 unique instruments to the instrument library.
The Turkish saz, also known as the bağlama, is a long-necked lute central to Turkish folk music. Characterized by its pear-shaped body and three double or triple string courses, it produces a bright, resonant sound. Played with a plectrum, the saz offers a range of tones from deep bass to high, delicate melodies, making it versatile for solo performances or ensemble settings.
The Australian thunder drum, also known as a thunder tube, is a percussion instrument that mimics the sound of thunder when played. It consists of a hollow tube with a flexible spring attached to one end. By shaking or striking the tube, vibrations travel through the spring, creating a deep, rumbling sound reminiscent of rolling thunder.
Sumie Kaneko
Sumie Kaneko is a New York-based Japanese musician and composer renowned for blending traditional koto and shamisen with jazz and experimental music. A pioneer in her field, she has collaborated with luminaries like Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project and tabla master Tanmoy Bose, performing at prestigious venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Sumie, a graduate of Tokyo National University and Berklee College of Music, also lectures at leading institutions like Harvard and MIT. As a cultural ambassador, she has toured over 20 countries, inspiring education through her artistry. Her latest album, Dead of the Night, exemplifies her unique fusion of East and West. Sumie recorded the koto, the shamisen, and voice for the Ekwe instrument library.
The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument with a long, rectangular wooden body and 13 or more silk or nylon strings, each supported by movable bridges for tuning.
Japanese singing spans a range of styles, from the traditional, delicate tones of nagauta and minyo folk songs to the powerful, emotive chants in enka. Classical styles, such as those used in noh and kabuki theater, emphasize control, vibrato, and intricate vocal techniques to convey deep emotion and narrative.
The shamisen is a traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument with a fretless neck and a body covered in animal skin, similar in shape to a small banjo.
Daniel Falcone
Daniel demonstrating the trumpet and flugelhorn.
Daniel Falcone is a renowned trumpet player whose career began on the Las Vegas Strip at age 15, performing with legends like Tony Bennett and Rita Moreno. A USC alum, he has toured with the London Philharmonic and held lead trumpet roles for Tom Jones, Ricky Martin, Toni Braxton, and Bette Midler, later joining Celine Dion's band for nearly a decade. Recently, he became lead trumpet for Lady Gaga’s Jazz and Piano show. Daniel’s extensive TV credits include The Tonight Show and The American Music Awards, and he has collaborated with icons such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Kanye West. Known for his versatility, Daniel continues to be a leading force in both live and studio performances.
Jose “Pepe” Jimenez
Jose “Pepe” Jimenez is a celebrated and versatile drummer from Puerto Rico, performing professionally since age 16. A graduate of Escuela Libre De Musica, Musicians Institute, and Puerto Rico Conservatory, Pepe has played with top Latin artists like Luis Fonsi, Marc Anthony, Olga Tañón, and the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. His recording credits include work with Ricardo Arjona, Elvis Crespo, and Armando Manzanero. Since moving to Las Vegas in 2002, he has played in productions like Mamma Mia, Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity, and Disney's The Lion King, and performed with Carlos Santana and Paul Shaffer. Pepe also leads his solo project, The Groove Culture. Pepe recorded the drum set and Bomba percussion instruments for the Ekwe instrument library.
Pepe on the drumkit.
Bomba is a traditional Afro-Puerto Rican music and dance genre that combines dynamic drumming, call-and-response singing, and improvisational dance. Centered around the barriles de bomba (barrel drums), bomba creates a rhythmic dialogue between dancer and drummer, where the dancer’s movements direct the beats. Rooted in African heritage, bomba is a powerful expression of Puerto Rican culture and resilience.
Samarth Nagarkar
Samarth Nagarkar is a renowned Khayal vocalist, educator, and author, celebrated as a global ambassador of North Indian classical raga music. Known for his emotive, meditative performances, Samarth has appeared at prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Chicago World Music Festival. With albums, the acclaimed book Raga Sangeet, and numerous awards, including the NAKA Outstanding Achievement Award, his contributions span both tradition and innovation. A dedicated educator, he lectures widely, coaches artists across genres, and leads Raga Sangeet Creative, advancing raga music through curation, education, and digital engagement. Samarth recorded North Indian voice, harmonium, and tanpura for the Ekwe instrument library.
Samarth Nagarkar describes North Indian classical music as a tradition based on raga, which are melodic frameworks that evoke specific moods. Key instruments include the tanpura for a steady drone, the harmonium for melodic support, and the voice as the primary means of expression.