Steel Pan & World Music Ensemble Sophisticated music that goes beyond island sounds.
Table of Contents I The Ensemble 3 II The Productions 9 IV Available on CD 16 VI Educational Programs 20 VII Technical Information 25 2
I The Ensemble 3
Caribbean Sound Since 1986 Caribbean Sound has been touring around the U.S. bringing their fantastic talents and the wonderful sound of the steel pan to artist series at colleges and universities, performing arts centers, symphony orchestras, outdoor summer concerts, and educational programs to theatres and school systems. They have enthralled their audiences with traditional Calypso, Contemporary Classics, and original compositions for the steel pan striking new territory with an incredible sound leaving audiences thirsting for more. The music of Caribbean Sound is grounded in classical and jazz traditions combined with years of cultural research of Caribbean Rhythms to create a marvelous performance for all. This one-of-a-kind ensemble provides students and adults the opportunity to cross cultural barriers and discover the amazing influences from around the world that came together to create the steel pan. They have appeared with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra along with recording and TV appearances. Caribbean Sound has been on the Florida State Touring Program through the Division of Cultural Affairs since 1998 and is currently serving on the 2010-2012 tour rosters. Some of their outstanding past performances include the Florida International Festival in Daytona Beach, the University of Florida Center for the Performing Arts, Florida Gulf Coast University, South Florida Center for the Arts, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Mahaffey Theater for the Performing Arts, Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts, the University of West Georgia, Mercer University, North Carolina Wesleyan College, and Wisconsin Lutheran College. They were an artist/clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Orlando, Florida in 1998 and PASIC 01 in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2001. Let's meet the ensemble members. 4
The Ensemble Members Barry Olsavsky-tour manager, arranger, composer, and lead panist, performs on Invader Lead, Double Seconds, Single Lead, Basses and Percussion. Barry began his musical training at the age of 9 studying with Frank G. Forgione, founder of the US Navy Show Band known as the Goodwill Ambassadors and a former student of Frank Holt, percussionist with the John Philips Sousa Band. In 1985 Barry obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Percussion from the University of North Florida where he studied with Charlotte Mabrey, former Principal Percussionist with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Barry worked with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for 20 years as a section percussionist which included performances in Carnegie Hall, as well as touring performances around the US. Barry worked with many of the top names in the Classical and Pop world including Luciano Pavarotti, Doc Severinsen, Chuck Mangione, Bernadette Peters, The 4 Tops, The Temptations, Tony Bennett, Lou Rawls, and James Taylor to name a few. After a long career with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Barry retired in 2004. He has done extensive study with the builder and tuner Ellie Mannette and Alan Coyle of Coyle Drums, and has spent many years traveling to Trinidad and Tobago researching the background, music, and culture of Pan and Trinidad. In 1998 Barry was an artist/clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC 98) in Orlando, Florida in November of 1998 and again at PASIC 01 in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2001. Barry was the production coordinator and producer of Caribbean Sounds 6 recording projects. 1993 release of Panic Attack 2000 release of J Ouvert Comin 2004 release of Evolution 2007 release of The Covers and Caribbean Sound Christmas 2008 release of Beyond the Islands Barry currently spends much of his time with this national touring group. When he is not touring with Caribbean Sound Barry performs throughout the Southeast with Tropico Steel Drums as a solo or ensemble providing steel drum music for corporate events, private parties, weddings and restaurants. In addition, Barry is Executive Director of CST Entertainment Productions LLC, the parent company of Caribbean Sound, Tropico Steel Drums and CST School of Percussion. During the school year Barry is a Percussion Clinician at Swiss Point Middle School in St John s County, Florida working with the percussion students in the band programs. Barry and his wife Barbara are also owners of Coral Coast Concoctions, a Live365.com Internet radio station featuring music of the Caribbean, steel drums and many other artists. Mike Wilson-Mike Wilson is a founding member and partner in Caribbean Sound Steel Pan & World Music Ensemble. He performs 5
on Triple Guitars, Single Second, and Percussion. Imbued with a lifelong belief that teamwork is the lynchpin of success, Mike develops educational programs and corporate seminars teaching teamwork skills through the use of steel drums and music. A graduate of the University of North Florida, Mike studied percussion and performance with Charlotte Mabrey, the former principal percussionist of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO). As a result, Mike performed as a percussionist of the JSO from 1981 to 1990. Mike also served as an artist/clinician with Caribbean Sound at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC 98) in Orlando, Florida and again at PASIC 01 in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2001 and has participated in the development and execution of a variety of quality educational programs with the band. With perpetual sand in his shoes, four beautiful children and happily married to Sandy, Mike has devoted his life to the study of music, steel drums, and performance techniques. Lawrence App-Lawrence App grew up in a musical family in the Washington DC area. He studied piano and voice throughout high school, but was self-taught on guitar. He began touring and performing with several jazz, Latin, and show groups in 1974. He relocated to Florida in 1980 and that same year co-founded the pop- Caribbean group Windjammer, a band he still performs with today. During the 80s, Lawrence made several regionally successful recordings with Windjammer and appeared on MTV Spring Break in Daytona productions. His three albums, Going Down to the Beach (1986), Jammin and Groovin (1987), and Reggae in the U.S.A. (1989), sold over 10,000 copies. Besides being a featured concert act in their own right, Lawrence and Windjammer shared the bill with many top acts including The Average White Band, The Wailers, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. While most of the 90s were spent on higher education, Lawrence continued to perform regularly, although his focus began to shift away from Windjammer and toward work as a jazz sideman or performing his own eclectic songs. By now he was an accomplished vocalist, guitarist, and bass player and through formal study, expanded his ability to read and apprehend advanced theoretical structures. He also began to develop other musical directions, particularly in percussion. He worked for several years as an accompanist on hand drums for modern dance and also started performing on the steel drums in earnest. Since 1997, Lawrence s main commercial outlet has been solo work in the Orlando market and other high-end resorts in the Southeast. Freedom from his responsibilities as a full-time bandleader has allowed him to concentrate on writing, recording and performing his own material. He has produced five CDs in the last six years covering styles from jazz and world music to death-metal. Although Lawrence is proficient on ten different instruments, guitar is still his first love. His main inspiration comes from people like John Scofield, Charlie Hunter, and Bill Frissell. He also listens to Papa Wemba, Gilberto Gil, and Kurt Elling for vocal inspiration. With the completion of his new CD Dark Into Light, Lawrence is working on a video and live dates with his quartet for 2005: Awards/Music Credits 2004: Songwriter Showcase of America Male Vocalist of the Year 2003: ranked highest entertainer at Bahama Breeze (voted #1 entertainment venue in Orlando magazine 5-03. 2001: WCEU supplement to Ken Burns Jazz Series, played guitar with R.Guiser quartet 1994-7: accompanist FSU School of Dance 1993: Music Scholar of the Year University of North Florida. 1989: central Florida s JAM Magazine Best Island Vocalist 1988: appeared on MTV s Beach House Spring Break program. 6
1982: recorded Jump Right In Danny Stimpson-Danny Stimpson began his musical studies while attending junior high school playing saxophone and played into his high school career. In 11th grade Danny switched from sax to drums, made the drum line and performed in numerous competitions and All-County Band on both drums and saxophone. In his senior year he served as the drum major of the Sandalwood High School Marching Band in Jacksonville, FL. Prior to college Danny toured 14 states playing drums with the Jon Mykal Band, a high-energy dance-pop group performing in clubs and hotels. Danny received his bachelor s degree in 1993 from the University of North Florida where he studied percussion and performance with Charlotte Mabrey, Principal Percussionist with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and was a member of the UNF Percussion Ensemble. While attending UNF Danny also studied Jazz drum set with Rick Kirkland, former drummer for Ray Charles. For many years Danny has performed around the NE Florida area with groups such as Tropico, The Floribbeans, Dan Reading and Friends, Windjammer, Three, El Toro Loco, Jason Anderson, Paul Lundgren, Mike Lyons, and The Committee. His performance background was heavily influenced by the progressive rock units Nudge and Pigeonhole, Latin and Caribbean genres. Danny s primary work environment is with Caribbean Sound playing drum set and percussion which serves as the engine room, the driving force of the band. He has done extensive study in drum set, Caribbean/Latin rhythms, and world music. In addition to Caribbean Sound Danny performs as a freelance drummer/percussionist in the North Florida area, as a private instructor, and as session drummer for Hole of the Pigeon Studio in Jacksonville recording diverse styles for new age, folk, rock and country artists. Danny also helped produce 5 of the 6 CD s currently available from Caribbean Sound. He was an artist/clinician with Caribbean Sound at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC 98) in Orlando Florida in November of 1998 and again at PASIC 01 in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2001. Danny also performed with the Soul Committee at the 1999 Florida Sports Awards. Danny actively serves in the music Ministry at Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida and is a devoted father, husband and avid runner. Matthew Olsavsky-the son of member Barry Olsavsky becomes the youngest addition to Caribbean Sound. Growing up in a home with steel drums, Matthew began playing percussion and steel drums at age 11 and has studied with his dad. In his young career Matthew has performed in and around the Jacksonville area on steel drums as a soloist and various performances with Barry Olsavsky. He was the drum captain at Mandarin High School in his Junior and Senior years and was a percussionist with the Jacksonville Symphony 7
Youth Orchestra for 3 1/2 years. During the summers of 2006 and 2007 Matthew attended Canon Music Camp on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina where he studied percussion with Robert Barnhart, Percussionist at the University of Wyoming. After graduating high school in 2010, Matthew is now living and performing in Orlando, Florida pursuing his studies of percussion and steel drums and is the owner of Southern Steel Music as well as a percussion clinician at Merritt Island High School. 8
II The Productions 9
Of all the musical instruments in the world none is as unique as the instrument made from a 55-gallon drum, the Steel Pan. Born from the people of Trinidad and Tobago in the late 1930 s, the sound of steel drums has delighted many ever since. For years the distinct sounds of pan and Caribbean music have been woven into the fabric of tropical destinations. Caribbean Sound presents a show-stopping entertainment experience that will capture your attention and your imagination. The Focal point of all Caribbean Sound performances has been to present programs based on a combination of 2 elements-the sweet sound of this magnificent instrument combined with teaching the controversial history of the steel pan. Through the growth of the ensemble the group has developed a passion for bringing the rich history, the harmonic sound of pan, and the unique personality of its members to the audience. Caribbean Sound offers several varieties of productions to fit any venue. Extraordinary Musicians Extraordinary Music. An American Carnival 10
The full stage production, An American Carnival mixes the sound and culture of the Caribbean through Calypso, Soca, and Latin music with Classical, American pop and original compositions into a delightful and entertaining evening performance. Designed for Artist or Concert series, the first half takes the audience on an exhilarating retrospective of the evolution of steel drums in PAN BY STORM -a musical and historical dramatization. With a storyteller and accompanying ensembles this visually stunning show portrays the cultural influences on Trinidad and Tobago and the creating forces behind steel drums. An African ensemble, bottle & spoon bands (just as it sounds), metal bands (pots, pans tin cans), and a marching band. Tamboo Bamboo (instruments made from large bamboo) recalls the days of the great Tamboo bands of Trinidad marching to the thunderous sound of pitched bamboo. Pan Around the Neck, vintage steel drum instruments from 1950 have been recreated for Caribbean Sound. These instruments present a fascinating representation of the days when panmen marched through the streets of Port of Spain, Trinidad. The second half of An American Carnival is titled Caribbean Sound Cafe creating an intrinsic atmosphere of light, sound and music featuring an Armed Forces Medley, Moonlight Sonata, Calypso music, Jazz, colorful costumes and props. An American Carnival is an exhilarating evening of music, entertainment and fun presenting a fascinating and exciting look at the development of pan, a truly unique innovation of the 20th Century. ÂTÇ XäxÇ Çz ã à{ VtÜ uuxtç féâçwê Island Rhythms 11
Escape the trials and tribulations of everyday life and spend a few hours among palm trees and a tropical mist as you enjoy the enchanting sound of steel drums. This outstanding concert show features the incredible talents of the 4 members of Caribbean Sound performing an exciting variety of music on one of the most fascinating instruments of the 20th Century. Enter the "Caribbean Sound Cafe" for a refreshingly cool glass of island vibes and enjoy the pulsating and energetic sound of Trinidad and Tobago, the home of steel drums and Calypso music. Soak up the spicy rhythms of Jamaica and Afro-Caribbean music, feel the vibrant Sambas of Latin music, and American Jazz and stirring Patriotic music of the U.S. Hear the instruments and music that helped shape the steel pan-african drumming, the magnificent sound of Tamboo Bamboo and stick bands, the rhythmical and charming sound of the pre-melody instruments, and the Pan Around the Neck, the "old school" of steel drums. Beethoven on steel drums? More beautiful then you can imagine. Relax in the mystique of a Caribbean paradise and share an incredible adventure along with Caribbean Sound in a 2-hour concert performance featuring music from around the world in "An Evening with Caribbean Sound." Caribbean Sound-In the Round Ever watched a performing group and wish you could be sitting right next to the performers? Well, now you can. Get up close and personal experiences of steel drums in an intimate performance setting with the latest show "Caribbean Sound in The Round." The nationally acclaimed World Music Ensemble features all the great music of their concert performances presented in a relaxed and intimate setting. This is a terrific programming option for venues with limited or no stage space such as small theatres, art galleries, museums, libraries, or multi-purpose rooms allowing the audience the opportunity to more closely enjoy this stunning instrument. Feel the music, feel the rhythm with Caribbean Sound in the Round. "Caribbean Holiday" "Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of rhum, 12
Santa's run off to the Caribbean!" Warm up those chilly winter evenings with the Christmas production from Caribbean Sound entitled "Caribbean Holiday." Enjoy all of your holiday favorites mixed with a touch of tropical essence as they present a wonderful evening of Christmas "Island Style." Featuring music from their hit CD Caribbean Sound Christmas you ll hear traditional favorites of Jingle Bells, Jolly Old St Nick, Silent Night and Angels We Have Heard on High mixed with Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, and Mele Kamikimaka. Rasta Santa comes to town with his bag full of all the things that make the holidays under a Christmas Palm special for the whole family. Book now to avoid the Christmas rush or Rasta Santa may leave a lump of crabs under your tree. 13
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IV Available On CD 16
CARIBBEAN SOUND RECORDINGS DVD 17
Reviews of Caribbean Sound Melodic, pulsating, colorful sounds sure to captivate all who hear them. Michael Krajewski, Principal Pops Conductor, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Caribbean Sound brings a wonderful sense of passion for their music that is absolutely infectious. Charlie Wade, Director of Marketing and Communications, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra This Highly acclaimed quartet captures the colorful rhythms of the Caribbean with the newest instrument of the 20 th Century-the steel drum. Center for the Performing Arts, University of Florida The quartet from Jacksonville had them dancing in the isles Daytona Beach News-Journal Caribbean Sound was the highlight of our Family Series. Cecil Cole, Artistic Administrator, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra You asked for their return engagement, and we are happy to please our devoted members. Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center You had the audience dancing on the beach and in the parking lots. It was exactly as we envisioned the event. Arts & Humanities Council of Charlotte County FL. The content and format of the show are educationally solid and thoroughly entertaining. Mahaffey Theater for the Performing Arts, St. Petersburg, FL. "...highest audience ratings in the history of the Evenings in Olde Seville Square. We absolutely want the Caribbean Sound back in 2002." Jim Tanck, Chair, Evenings in Olde Seville Square "We would highly recommend Caribbean Sound to other organizations and venues looking for something different, unique, and enjoyable for their audiences." Leon Warren, Stanly County Community Concert Association "This is a superb show for a Pops concert which I enthusiastically recommend!" Nicholas Palmer, Music Director and Conductor, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra. "Your performance on our Super Pops! Series was nothing short of exciting and highly entertaining...i would be more than happy to recommend your show to any orchestra." M. Wade Kelly, Executive Director, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra "Caribbean Sound gave our audience an enthusiastic and skillful concert, mixing humor and education with your musical presentation. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening for all." Tommy Bledsoe, Operations Manager, St. Augustine Amphitheatre 18
For more information on Caribbean Sound Visit the web site at: www.caribbeansound.net or www.cst-entertainment-productions.com. For booking information: Barry Olsavsky, Executive Director 12258 Deeder Lane Jacksonville, FL 32258 904-536-4166 E Mail Barry@cst-entertainment-productions.com 19
VI Educational Programs 20
PAN BY STORM! a musical and historical dramatization. The Caribbean Sound Educational Program gives students an introduction to the magical world of steel drums and history of the instrument as well as the musical styles from the Caribbean. Join us for "PAN BY STORM," an educational and amusing look at the history behind steel drums beginning with the discovery of Trinidad and Tobago by Christopher Columbus in 1498 to the present. Accompanied by our storyteller, encounter the enchanting sound of African drumming and rhythms, bottle & spoon bands of the early 1900's, the great Tamboo Bamboo bands (an instrument made from large pieces of bamboo), metal bands using buckets, paint tins, and break drums, the Pan Around The Neck steel drums from the 1950's, and finally combining all these elements with the modern steel drum, the instrument in use today. This exciting journey also includes costumes, stage props, and a parade on stage complete with marching snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, and balloons. "PAN BY STORM" is an exciting fun-filled historical adventure of one of the greatest musical innovations of the 20 th Century. This show is terrific for school children in grades K-12 performed in an auditorium setting. Where limited space is a concern the show can also be performed in-the-round in a multi-purpose type facility. To prepare students in advance for attending our show a complete educational guide with study questions and a map of the Caribbean basin is available for download in pdf format on our web site at www.caribbeansound.net. 21
Caribbean Sound "In the Round" Get up close and personal experiences of steel drums in an intimate performance setting with Caribbean Sound "In the Round." The nationally acclaimed World Music Ensemble features all the great music of their concert performances presented in a relaxed and intimate setting. This is a terrific programming option for individual school performances that can be set in a multipurpose room allowing the audience the opportunity to more closely enjoy this stunning instrument. Feel the music, feel the rhythm with Caribbean Sound "In the Round." 22
Caribbean Sound Residency Programs The Rhythm Machine An empowering self-discovery through a hands-on investigation of rhythm. Rhythm-A universal word for drumming, rhythm, and life. Individual lives, collective lives. It s all tied together by rhythm. Rhythm is a living thing. The Caribbean Sound Residency Program is designed to explore the inner rhythm in everyone. Through history, hands on playing and creative activities children and adults will explore their personal rhythm and how to apply this rhythm to all facets of life and become more in touch with the world and themselves. The exploration can include the following; Children create homemade instruments out of household items such as milk jugs, paper towel rolls, and tin cans. Using traditional instruments as models, participants will create their own new unique percussion instruments. This segment also focuses on team building skills including co-creating and working together as a team while allowing self-expression of the inner person. Music 101. Is it pitched or non-pitched? Sessions will incorporate physics lessons to help the students understand how and why musical instruments work, and basic math lessons involving counting and how math relates to music. Interactive: Call and response games, rhythm games, introducing the use of body percussion, clapping, chanting, and stomping. This multicultural presentation will include African and Caribbean rhythms and their importance and influence on music of the world. The focus of adult settings will be more toward an historical prospective and will involve the use of drum circles. The residency program is suitable for grades K-12, college classes, elder care facilities, and community groups in a large or small setting. Residency Fees vary on number of personnel and length of day. 23
"Team Caribbean Sound" Team Caribbean Sound is a wonderful new residency program focusing on teamwork and non-verbal communication skills. These skills are used by student s everyday in sports and school activities but in this session are brought to the forefront highlighting the importance of each team member, their individual responsibilities and their duties as a team player. By comparison and contrast these same principles are used in musical and ensemble settings and Caribbean Sound focuses on these concepts by making the student s part of the Caribbean Sound team. Caribbean Sound will provide a variety of instruments including shakers, cowbells, conga drums, metal buckets, paint cans and brake drums and invites the students to join in and work together as a team and perform various musical functions without any verbal commands. Team Caribbean Sound is appropriate for elementary and middle school age students. "We make your students part of our band!" 24
VII Technical Information 25
Caribbean Sound Tech Rider Caribbean Sound Steel Pan & World Music Ensemble 12258 Deeder Lane www.caribbeansound.net Jacksonville, Fl 32258 Email Barry@cst-entertainment-productions.com Phone 904-536-4166 The following tech rider is provided showing band setup, P.A. requirements and microphone placement for indoor or outdoor performances. Microphone selections have been listed along with suitable alternatives. Items required for each individual show will be checked in the box. SOUND REQUIREMENTS: *(Outdoor Only) 3-way P.A. reaching 100db.* CS will provide 2 Samson UHF Synth 32 Wireless microphones. Station 1-Barry Olsavsky- 3 SM 58 s on 3 pans. Clip on Mic stands are provided. 1 Monitor Electric for a fan. Station 2-Mike Wilson 3 SM 58 s on 3 pans. Clip on Mic stands are provided. 1 Monitor Electric for a fan. Station 3-Basses 3 SM 58 s on 3 pans on 3 boom stands. 1 Monitor Station 4-Matthew Olsavsky SM 58 s on 3 pans. Clip on Mic stands are provided. 1 SM 58 on a boom for percussion. 1 Monitor Electric for a fan. Station 5-Danny Stimpson, Drums 1 SM 57-Snare 1 D112-Kit Drum 5 SM 98-clip on drum mics for toms (booms if clip on not available.)* 2 Crown C141Overheads on boom stands 1 SM 57-Percussion on a boom stand 1 Monitor Electric for a fan. Station 5-Lawrence App, Bass & Pans SM 58 s on 2 pans. 1 Monitor Grounded Electric for bass cabinet and a fan. 1 Microphone line to P.A. Monitor mix: 2 mixes, front and back. Grounded electric line run along the back stage for par 16 lights and fog machine. 26
For evening performance load in, set up and sound check will be 9:00 am day of performance unless otherwise noted. School performance load in will be evening before first show. If otherwise noted, 2 ½ hours prior to start of first show. Venue Specifications: Please forward any specifications on performance venue i.e.: stage measurements, stage diagram, dressing rooms, loading area, fly system, lighting system, sound system. STAGING: Minimum Width 20 ; Depth 20 standard stage wood flooring. ELECTRICAL: Power on stage for 5 floor fans, par 16 lights on palm trees, fog machine and super flame near drum riser. LIGHTING: 3 color wash overhead (R# 316, R# 76, R# 38). Specials on all players (see setup). Cyc/Skydrop upstage with 3 colors when possible (red, blue, green). 1 follow spot. 3 gobos requiring Shakespeare or Source Four 575W (2 only for school shows). CURTAIN: If a Cyc is available please use as a backdrop with floor lighting to illuminate. CREW: 2 deckhands for load in and load out. For show, 1 sound, 1 lights, 1 spot. DRESSING ROOMS: 2 dressing rooms to accommodate 2 persons each. 4 costume racks required, 1 in each dressing room, 1 in the wings on each side of the stage. MERCHANDISE SALES:1-2 persons for sales of Caribbean Sound merchandise (preperformance, intermission and post performance). One 6 table in lobby (Not required for educational performances). OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES: Proper staging must be provided (flat wood or concrete) covered to keep instruments out of direct sun and protect from weather. CARIBBEAN SOUND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO VIDEOTAPE ALL PERFORMANCES FOR STUDY USE. HOSPITALITY: Chilled bottled water and towels just off stage. (Evening performance only-hot, black coffee with cream and sugar, chilled coke & diet coke, a deli tray with lunchmeats*, cheeses*, and bread*). Barry Olsavsky, Executive Director Date Presenter Date 27
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