Gina Ferrera
Upcoming Shows:
Check my MySpace page for a current listing of shows.
Discography:
Click Here for Gina's full Discography.

New Album Coming Soon!
GINA FERRERA & GYIL FUSION
Currently recording, please check back with us soon!
photo by Geoff Thompson

photo by Geoff Thompson

Gina Ferrera - gyil, vocals, drums, percussion, mbira, shekere, electronic beat programming, production, engineering

GYIL FUSION Special Guests include:
    Dave Manley: co-editor, guitar
    Elizabeth Sayre: bata drums, shekere, vocals, percussion
    Adwoa Akomfoo Tacheampong: vocals, shekere, percussion
    Venissa Santi: vocals
    Shawn Hennessey: guitar, vocals, percussion
    Chuckie Joseph: congas, bata, percussion
    Jennifer Kyker: mbira, vocals
    Christina Ryat: vocals, keys/synths effects
    Pete McRae: guitar, bass
    Matt Davis: guitar
    Jake Morelli: guitar
    Adam Hershberger: trumpet
    Erik Lawrence: all saxophones, flute
    Xunde Cruz: Brazilian drums (tamborim, sordu, repenique, caixa)
    Francois Zayas: drums, percussion
    Ashley Deekus: marimba
    Jake Morelli: guitar
    Bill Phipps: congas, riq, dumbek
    Josh Winer: bass
    Jason Fratacelli: bass
    Dan Gorlin: Ewe drums
    Cito Ayende: percussion, vocals
    Brian Nadav: oud
    Yoomi Kwon: cello
    Rhadha: tabla drums
    Kofi Ameyaw: gyil, vocals
    Shara Dae: vocals
    Geoff Thompson: harmonica
    Eric Hickey: freestyles vox

Photo by Valerie Frossard

photo by Valerie Frossard

The album represents a bold presentation; the fusion of gyil with other global-inspired instrumentation and musical elements. Each track introduces the gyil to creative & innovative horizons of unclassified world music. It captures a unique world-music historic moment, blending the gyil, with bata, rumba, samba, middle-eastern rhythm, tabla, electronic dance rhythms, traditional elements, and incorporating mbira music from Zimbabwe with gyil. This project gives birth to musical and cultural phenomena; a dialogue between cultures in the form of music.

“Gyil Fusion” celebrates the awareness of various cultural music and networks together a community of Philadelphia artists. Playing an instrument like the gyil, is about taking risks in making the old, new again. This original project captures the essence of “gyil” in a modern and creative-musical setting and has an impact by representing peace and cultural unity, through music. To the Dagara, Lobi and Birifor people, gyil music, dance and society, is a collective experience that binds people together. This “collective sensibility” acts as a model, for establishing a sense of community in Western society. Indirectly, the project attempts to bridge the gap between cultures that crave alternate outlets for healing through music, culture, expression and creativity. This gyil fusion project plays an active role among Philadelphia's “world-music” community, creating a model for cultural musical exchange.

REVIEWS:
Global Village Webzine, 2004 - Blended Beat

A charmingly naive gem of a record. The album captures the essence of African rhythm, while expressing her own vocal style and artistic approach.

Ray Lugo, Full Cut Records, 2005 - Life in the Key of 'G'

Upon meeting Gina Ferrera, the first thing you'll notice is her infectious energy & enthusiasm. It permeates every aspect of her dialogue, mannerisms and view of the world. Yes, the lady is alive! The second thing you'll notice is the sincerity with which she goes about crafting her music.

Chris Nixon, fROOTS Magazine, 2004 - Blended Beat
Possibly the world's first Singer/songwriter/gyilist

It's about the gyil. Well, it is for Gina Ferrera. It's the centre of her first CD, Blended Beat (engine-studios), where she mixes the xylophone-like Ghanaian instrument with guitars, basses, drums and sax, and weaves her voice into the mix to create a remarkably beguiling whole with a wonderfully innocent sound.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES:
“Gyils at Swathmore College” by Sarah Bricault (Phoenix Newspaper, Swathmore College, March 2008)
“The Girl with the Gyil - Gina Ferrera livens the beat on African Percussion” by Mary Ann Christiano (The Montclair Times, March 10, 2005)
“Musician treads new musical paths via ancient Africa” by Howard Prosnitz (South Bergenite, Feb. 23, 2005)
“Gina Ferrera - The Story of a Girl and her West African Gyil” by Mary Ann Christiano (The Montclair Times, Oct. 3 2002)