Vas (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Vas
Img_capt = Vas - Greg Ellis, Azam Ali
Img_size = 275
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Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Los Angeles, Iran
Genre = Tribal fusion, World, Ethereal Wave
Years_active = 1996–present
Label = Narada
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members = Azam Ali, Greg Ellis
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Vas was an 'alternative world' group, composed of Persian born vocalist Azam Ali and American percussionist Greg Ellis. Vas is frequently compared to the Australian band Dead Can Dance. At present, the band has released 4 full length albums and both artists have released a few solo albums and participated in side projects. After their last album "Feast of Silence", the two members continued on their own separare ways.

Ali was raised in India and moved to Los Angeles, California in 1985 and began studying the dulcimer-like santur under the guidance of Manoocher Sadeghi. Ellis was born and raised in Los Gatos, California, where he first learned to play the drums at age 12. Ellis moved to Los Angeles in 1984 and started work as a percussionist. The two musicians met at UCLA in 1995 after hearing each other perform and formed Vas shortly thereafter.

Discography

Full length albums and EPs

* "Sunyata" Narada (1997)
* "Offerings" Narada (1998)
* "In the Garden of Souls" Narada (2000)
* "Feast of Silence" Narada (2004)

Compilation appearances

*Refuge on "Earthdance" 2CD (1998)
*The Reaper and the Flowers on "Asleep By Dawn Issue Two" (2004)
*"The Next Generation - Narada Sampler"

List of band members

* Azam Ali (1995 - present) -- vocals, hammered dulcimer, tanpura, drums
* Greg Ellis (1995 - present) -- udu, fabla, dumbek, nagara, cymbals, bells, drums, keyboards
* Cameron Stone (2000) -- cello on "In the Garden of Souls"

ide projects / Solo projects

* Azam Ali
* Niyaz (Azam Ali, Loga Torkian)
* Roseland (Azam Ali, Tyler Bates, Greg Ellis)
* [http://www.rhythmpharm.com RhythmPharm] (Greg Ellis)

External links

* [http://www.vasmusic.com/ Official Vas homepage]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Vas Vas discography on Discogs]
* [http://www.myspace.com/azamalivasmusic Vas on Myspace]
* [http://www.rhythmpharm.com Rhythmpharm]