Biography

Ethnic duet Sandal (Russia, Novosibirsk)

Members:

• Evgenia ‘Zhuzha’ Zhukovskaja – vocal & percussion.
• Dmitry ‘Petrovich’ Rzhanitsyn – percussion, programming & vocal.

The two members of Sandal have many years experience as professional musicians, each having a wealth of concerts and festivals behind them. Their careers have taken them through a diversity of musical collaborations and musical styles, including jazz, fusion, rock and ethnic folk music.

In the summer of 2006, the Sandal duo was born as “Sandal” at the opening of an ethnic exhibition from Samarqand, in Novosibirsk’s State Museum of Local Lore.

Sandal celebrates the ethnic heritages of the world’s cultures, not limiting itself to any one traditional musical style. With a presentation that is at once both modern and authentic (exotic percussion, electronics, samples, etc.), Sandal has achieved a unique sound of its own. Its repertoire includes songs in a variety of languages, such as Ancient Persian, Hebrew, Arabian, Russian, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Sanskrit and the tribal languages of Africa and Siberia.

In the spring of 2007, Zhuzha and Petrovich traveled to India to get more closely acquainted with the Indian people and their mysterious cultures. In particular, Evgenia (Zhuzha) took lessons in classical Hindustani singing, while Dmitry (Petrovich) learned Indian tabla drum playing. As a cultural exchange, Dmitry and Evgenia also participated in memorable music jams with Indian musicians.

Participating in in many varied ethnic festivals around Russia and in cultural programs in Russia’s cities, Sandal has found many new friends, and many admirers of the talent and creativity of Zhuzha and Petrovich.