Rafe Pearlman began his singing career among the wolves, ravens, and sled dogs of the Alaskan wilderness. The wild, exploratory nature of his voice has since carried him around the globe, from India, Hong Kong, Israel, and Germany to Italy, France, Spain, Australia, Thailand, and Mexico, and all across the United States, from the Kennedy Center to the Triple Door.
“Rafe Pearlman makes meaning as well as music, and enfolds an array of traditions in his work which can only be described as timeless and unique. He has a voice that is as full and open as the sky. A heart that is vast and defenseless, and a talent that is beyond beautiful.” John McLean, Nashville
Rafe is a creative environmentalist: his music is an invitation to a world in harmony and unity, one that celebrates diversity, sustainability, and equality for all beings.
He is a performer, composer, ceremonialist, and creative vocal coach.
Collaboration is central to Rafe’s creative process, and over the years he has worked with remarkable performers and composers. He has toured with William Close and the Earth Harp Collective, home to the world’s largest stringed instrument, and performed accompanied by a full orchestra alongside one of Hollywood’s leading film composers, Tyler Bates, at MOSMA, the festival of film music, in Málaga, Spain.
Most recently, Rafe was awarded an artist residency at the Orcas Center Theater to create KANU, a new evening-length work inspired by his Alaskan childhood, weaving together his music and visual art.
His voice and music have been described as:
“Intrinsically wild and beautiful.” “Ancestral and otherworldly.” “Galactic and earthy.” “Ethereal and transcendent.” “Spirit Folk.” “The sound of Aurora’s dreaming, singing to the rhythm of Earth’s heartbeat, friends gather ’round a fire, telling timeless stories of magic and wonder.” “To experience your music live truly IS medicine, and a natural remedy the world so needs right now.”
Evan Marc Bartholomew, known professionally as Bluetech, is a widely respected figure in the electronic music world. His work spans a broad spectrum, from deeply atmospheric ambient and downtempo to progressive, groove-oriented dance music. Bluetech’s sound is characterized by rich emotional texture, intricate sound design, and a unique atmospheric quality that blends organic elements with cutting-edge digital production techniques.
Daniel Berkman is a San Francisco based composer, kora player, oudist, electronic musician, multi-instrumentalist and recording artist.
“Treating the timeless instruments I play and the music I create as unique happenings, inspiring awe, seeking revelation.”
CHRIS HAUGEN
Chris Haugen is a guitarist, producer, and composer whose atmospheric instrumental music has found a home in the meditation, focus, and relaxation spaces. Known for his fluid touch on guitar and Weissenborn lap steel, his sound is immersive, spacious, and deeply textured — “haunting and otherworldly, like a time capsule from a lost kingdom, perhaps Atlantis.” (SF Chronicle)
Chihsuan, a GRAMMY-nominated multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer, hails from Taiwan. Her exceptional skills on the violin, erhu, and piano have allowed her to explore diverse genres and captivate audiences worldwide.
Chihsuan’s versatility has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Collaborations with luminaries such as Yo-Yo Ma, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, David Foster, and performance for His Holiness the Dalai Lama underscore her exceptional artistry.
Jake has been honored to take this journey with Rafe. It has been a joyous creative experience.
Jake is proud to be the current Artistic Director of the Orcas Center where he enjoys his role as a dreamer, an instigator, and a manifester. He is grateful to occasionally stretch his creative ambitions and diverse skillsets on shows like this one, handling stage direction, lighting, projections, and audio mixing.
