Daina Shukis received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance/Drama from New York University as well as studying voice and specialized in writing her own musical and vocal accompaniment for her choreography. As a dance accompanist at Skidmore College, Daina choreographed and wrote music for their dance group which she brought to her Alma Mater Emma Willard School. She directed the production of the William Butler Yeats play "At the Hawks Well" at Skidmore, where she met Don Alias, Gene Perla and Jeremy Steig when they performed with Elvin Jones at a concert. These friendships lasted many years and their support of her music and dancing career resulted in the albums and videos presented on this website. You may remember Stuart Klines View of Culture in his New York City News cast. Daina can be seen dancing at the Port Said where she was house dancer for many years. Prior she danced at the Egyptian Gardens and later other notable clubs in the New York area as well as Ft. Lauderdale and the West Coast. These clubs brought the best musicians from the Middle East to perform in New York and her love of Greek, Turkish and Arabic music shows in some of her writing and performances. She also had a great love for the art of ballet and took class regularly at the American Ballet Center in New York City and studied with Mellisa Hayden, Ola Fatum and Elizabeth Carrol at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. She studied Baharata Natyam with Sukanya the daughter of the famed Indian dancer Indrani, and Modern dance with Paul Sanasardo, Arlene Laube and Stuart Hodes. Her choreographic piece danced to her own music and the improvisation of Jeremy Steig and Eddie Gomez, "Tlalocs Forest, Cocoon into Butterfly" was shown on cable TV on occasion. Daina has sung for "Sesame Street" animations for children's television and performed for many years with her own band "Daina and the Tribe" in the New York City area at such notable clubs as the Bottom Line (opening for James Cotton), The Lone Star (opening for Jaco Pastorious), CBGB's and many others. She was assaulted and severely injured and was not able to continue her career. She is still composing and has had some of these vintage tapes engineered to be presented at this time. More to come. March 27, 1979 Chuck Berg - Down Beat Magazine An interesting departure from the standard presentation of serious music in club settings was the surprise entrance of dancer Daina Shukys toward the end of the set. Exuding sensuality, the dynamic Ms. Shukys, finger cymbals aloft, meshed beautifully with the ever-expanding spirals of musical agitation. My initial reaction ("well, here's a little something for the folks not into the music") was soon reversed by the talent and sincerity of Ms. Shukys and the musicians. Again, Steig has dared to be different, to explore,to probe. Chuck Berg- Downbeat Magazine March 12, 1989 Vernon Reid - Guitar Player Magazine Marvin Horne played with (drummer) Elvin Jones and Defunkt. He's the best jazz guitarist I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He can play a steady stream of the most beautiful, melodic eighth-notes you'll ever hear, and never play the same thing twice. He's from St. Louis and he's still playing. Vernon Reid - Guitar Player magazine March 1989 November 16, 1982 Pawel Brodowski (Editor-in-Chief) - Jazz Forum magazine Dear Jeremy Steig, On behalf of JAZZ FORUM, the magazine of the International Jazz Federation, I would like to congradulate you on being voted the world's top flutist in our 16th annual international 1982 JF Top People Poll.... Keep swinging, Pawel Brodowski, Editor-in-Chief 1. Cruise Control- Jerome Harris-bass and guitar, Don Alias-percussion, Aubrey Dale-drums, Marvin Horne-rhythm guitar, Daina Shukis-vocals 2. Bad Man-Marvin Horne and Butch Cambell guitar intro, Jeremy Steig-flute, Dan Wall-bass and piano, Jimmy Madison-drums, Ray Mantilla-percussion, Daina Shukis-vocals 3. Jungle Boat Ride-Jeremy Steig-flute, Sam Brown-guitar, Ray Mantills-percussion playing on Cocoon intro. Marvin Horne-guitar, Paul Ramsey-bass, Tyron Govan-drums, Daina Shukis-vocals LIVE at CBGB,s 4. Rain on a Cruel World- Jeremy Steig- flute, Dan Wall-piano, Ray Mantilla-percussion on "Rain". "Cruel World" LIVE from the "Bottom Line" Jeremy Steig -flute, Tom Coppolla-keyboards, Daina Shukis-vocals 5. Voodoo Queen-Greg Carter-drums and back-up vocals, Tom Coppolla-keyboards, Marvin Horne-guitar, Jerome Harris-bass, Daina Shukis-vocals and finger cymbals 6. Full Wing-Jeremy Steig-flute solo and Kamal Zabir-drums LIVE from "Magique" NYC intro to "Full Wing also known as "Hip Boy" with Dan Wall-piano, Jeremy Steig-flute, Ray Mantilla-percussion, Jimmy Madison-drums, Daina Shukis-vocals 7. Chant of the Wode- Dan Wall- piano, Jeremy Steig-flute,Ray Mantilla-percussion, Daina Shukis-vocals 8. Love Light- Leni Stern-guitar, Gene Perla-bass, Joe Chambers-drums, John Saegert-rhythm guitar intro LIVE from the Lismar Lounge into LIVE from CBGB's with Marvin Horne-guitar and back up vocals, Fred Alias-drums, Paul Ramsey-bass, Daina Shukis vocals and finger cymbals. this sounds like a song back in the 90s this is a great sound makes you wanna stomp in your boots. i find this song taking you back when music was good. i find this artist is strong and monstrous when it comes from this fantastic vocal skills she has. she hits out standing pitches with no problems. now this is real music. i feel she is the next shelia E. the music that is behind this artist is just great i love the solo of the guitar it is the right fit to this great hit. i find that this song has to bring new funk and style to a forgotten music timeline. i find that this artist really has taken time to design and profoundly improve music itself. this is a great great song and it should be acknowledged immediately. ( review of "Cruise Control") November 22, 2013 crowd review - reverbnation Grove on! Here is a cool song with a soul, it makes me feel like I am listening to a indian mix with a touch of african, very mysterious beats and the amazing touches of bells and drums. This is a very special song, that you want to listen when you are trying to get some creativity or inspiration to make something. The theatrical voice of the singer is very special and mystical, she is passionate and have very good vibrations and tones that make you vibrate and relax. It sounds like a religious song that will bless you and inspire you to rebirth and travel into heaven. The arrangements are great, they know how to play the instruments and put them in the right place and on the right layer. This band knows what they are doing, I can assure that they will have a success in the crowd when they play their heavenly music. I like to hear more of this spiritual music! (review of "Voodoo Queen" November 24, 2013 crowd review - Reverbnation Interesting sounding music. Powerful singer paired with a solid guitar creates a really cool sound. The lyrics are right in line with the tone of the song very far-out trance like. Excellent vocal range. I could see this song being played at a club or in a James Bond movie. I think there is a wide variety of people who would enjoy this song. (review of "Voodoo Queen") December 31, 2013 crowd review of "Jungle Boat Ride" - Reverbnation “From the beginning, this track lured me right into another world- one that is far less stressful than the reality I reside. Soothing and enchanting, the vocals weave around you like some sort of bewitching spell. I felt as if this track was meant for meditation or massage therapy. Or if you're an artist in need of some serenity for inspiration. However, this track will surprise you! Because the tempo and melody change to a more upbeat and awakening vibe. Once this happens, you won't meditate. I went from feeling almost sleepy to wanting to get up and dance with the unique vocals and rhythm. Never heard anything like this track before in my life- that is a compliment! This track won't be for every one's taste, but it's fun and surprising.” December 31, 2013 crowd review of "Jungle Boat Ride" - Reverbnation “I like the flute that begins this song. It is a very cool touch that is seldom heard. The music would be great for relaxing. It gives me a feeling of being in some exotic land and hearing beautiful music. Then the song changes into an uptempo R&b number. It is progressive and intriguing music. I give this artist credit for thinking outside the box.” December 31, 2013 crowd review of "Jungle Boat Ride" - Reverbnation “There's a beautiful flute sound playing progressive jazz changes on a mode. Then a sweet voice enters. The sound has no rhythm. It's spacey. Now the guitar comes in with the drums playing some funk with a incredibly fly bass. The vocalist is singing "chica chica boo" I like the bass, drums and guitar. The singer is scatting and singing going slowly down stream. Her upper register is remarkable. This is Funk Jazz.” December 31, 2013 crowd review of "Jungle Boat Ride" - Reverbnation “Beautiful intro... Very atmospheric... Vocals are amazing, very different but very captivating... I could see this song being sampled for a hit hip hop beat... Very groovy, the bass line/drum rhythm is driving and VERY funky!