Chasm

Chasm [kaz'm] began as a multi-instrumental duo when Mark Esakoff and Michael Whipple met in 1987 while working aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. Since then they have been involved with each other's musical evolution. Chasm plays World Fusion Music: a sound that fuses jazz, folk, Latin & rock within a world music setting. Most all the instruments used make sounds that resonate from one of three things: “wood” (marimba, maracas, etc.), “skin” (congas, gut/nylon strings, etc.), and “wind” (flute, recorder, etc.). Chasm’s concept is to connect these primitive acoustic textures with modern musical structures. The result is instrumental music with a uniquely earthy sound. It is their contribution to the diverse genre of World Fusion Music. Chasm’s latest CD, Panorhythmica, is a follow up to their self-titled debut release, Chasm. The new release is a natural continuation of the previous. Although the sound basically revolves around the same featured instruments, classical guitars and flutes accompanied by marimba, bass & percussion, the sonic depth of these new pieces reveal a notable change. This is the result of Esakoff and Whipple’s conscious effort to translate visual images into instrumental music, hearing with the eye ~ seeing with the ear. With this theme in mind they created the CD's title, Panorhythmica, by conjugating [panorama+rhythmic], visual with aural. NAV Magazine voted Panorhythmica a Finalist for the Best Acoustic Instrumental Album of 2000. The duo has also enjoyed critical acclaim and international airplay. Chasm presently performs live as a quartet. The foursome is: Mark Esakoff on acoustic nylon string guitar & marimba; Brad Strickland on acoustic nylon string guitar; Arne Anselm on upright acoustic bass; and Aaron Winters on drums/percussion. On occasion additional musicians “sit in” as guests. (Whipple is currently on hiatus tending to family business.) Mark Esakoff was born in Montebello, California to parents of Russian immigrants. At the age of 13 he was given his first guitar and began taking lessons. Inspired by rock 'n' roll and folk music, he played in bands and as a solo artist into his college years. He studied psychology and music, eventually developing a love for baroque and jazz. After graduating he took his guitar, Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, and for the next few years roved through America, Europe and North Africa. During that time he often performed, all the while being exposed to the local culture's music. This experience has had a profound effect on his music. Esakoff considers himself a songwriter with a sound concept more than a guitarist. The acoustic nylon string guitar is just the prominent voice within the concept. Living in Ventura, California he continues to compose and devote his musical efforts to Chasm. Other interests of his are health, philosophical and aesthetic in nature. Born in Oxnard, California to a military family, Michael Whipple spent his childhood moving frequently from state to state. This helped stimulate a creative imagination that was to surface later in his music. At the age of 14 his father laid down the law - "No drums!" As a consequence he chose another instrument to learn... flute. Later he taught himself to play the recorder, keyboards, marimba and a host of strange percussion instruments including... drums. Influenced by a wide spectrum of music, he developed his own improvisational style. Whipple uses musical instruments as tools to realize color, line, shape and texture as he reacts visually to what he hears. He also composes and performs in a variety of projects as a jazz flutist, keyboardist and percussionist. Other interests of his are culinary, enological and aesthetic in nature. He’s an avid Lakers fan too.