Moodafaruka - Mood of The Dance A “faruka” (farruca) is a flamenco style of dance. We’ve combined it with the word mood, to create a new word that means mood of the dance. (We hope one day Webster’s will agree with us).
Moodafaruka was founded in 1999 by Rom Ryan. Since it’s inception it has been a musical playground for experimentation and invention. Through the blending of music inspired by different cultures into unique compositions, we try to create music that is both familiar and new.
We often are asked “What do you call this music”? A question that even for us is difficult to answer.
We now offer the following response to such a query:
Nuevoflamencoworldfusionglobalgroovengypsysurfmusic, but for expediency we often refer to it simply as “World Fusion”.
In 1999 Moodafaruka recorded their first CD - “La Luna Lounge.”
Rom Ryan and Percussionist Terrence Karn were the only members of Moodafaruka at that time. Terrence has since moved on to teach and perform throughout the United States.
The CD received rave reviews and excellent radio play around the globe and has sold thousands of copies!
Since then driven by Rom Ryan’s composition, and the talents of some of Houston’s finest musicians we have released 3 more cds Zazu Blame it on the Moon and Who R U.
We currently have a compilation released on MegaWave Records entitled “Essential Moodafaruka” it was number 2 on the Jazz/World Music Charts receiving airplay throughout the country. Moodaruka is a collective of musicians at it's core currently are Sax Player Eddie Akhmechine, Vocalist Guitar Player Edita Nikola, Keyboardist Richard Saldivar, and violinist Emily Madonia
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At the heart of Moodafaruka is it’s founder Rom Ryan as composer, promoter, producer, engineer, booking agent, and head roady, he has kept Moodafaruka moving forward, and turned a dream into a tangible living musical enterprise.