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"Gamelan is a community... and that's the most important thing about Gamelan." - Ade Wijaya

Two years ago I entered into a world that many Americans don't get to see firsthand. It started with the music, then a trip to Bali and culminated with me joining a premier Balinese gamelan group, one with an incredible history and a promising future.

Gamelan came to Denver, Colorado thirty years ago in what would become Gamelan Tunas Mekar (GTM). Throughout its three decade history the group has seen more than one hundred members come and go and today there are only 3 members still active from those early days. The group is as strong as ever however thanks in part not only the incredibly talented musicians but for the fact that our teacher and guru Pak Made Lasmawan has been with the group for most of those thirty years. In fact the GTM is held together by the glue of his family. His wife is the principle dancer and choreographer and his three sons also play and write music for the group.

The community of Gamelan Tunas Mekar remains stronger than ever with a recent invitation to the Bali Arts Festival and the Karangasem Art and Culture Festival. This collection of two dozen extremely talented musicians is spending two weeks touring in Bali in the summer of 2019, and I am incredibly honored be a part of that journey. - Jim Wills

This podcast was recorded at a live concert fundraiser. GTM is a 501c non-profit and tax-deductible donations are graciously accepted.

images: Gamelan Tunas Mekar - used by permission

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