Performing fresh interpretations of ancient and modern music, as well as original pieces, Datura Road’s range of style covers well over a thousand years, from the medieval period all the way to the twenty-first century, European Art Music, Roma, Celtic, African, Mediterranean, and Arabic. Arrangements include influences of progressive rock, as well as a cosmic multitude of other genres.
Our mission is to reflect the beautiful dreams and vibrant passions of our human experience with timeless art and music.
With the original lineup of Matt Nobile, David Budd, Raphael Garritano, and Peter Nobile, Datura Road saw successful releases such as the eponymous album “Datura Road”, “Elephant’s Dream”, and singles such as “Görüşürüz”.
Datura Road’s current lineup includes founding members David Budd (drums and percussion) and Raphael Garritano (guitar and mandolin), Bill Cochran (french horn), and Anna Womack (vocals).
David Budd
Drums and Percussion
When David Budd is not pursuing his interests in visual art, he enjoys cultivating his skills as a percussionist. In the late 1990s he began studying with world renowned frame drummer, Layne Redmond, learning the rhythms of the Middle East and Brazil. In addition to being a member of Free River, he has collaborated with Raphael Garritano in the early music ensemble, Sol Sonata, in a Latin music influenced band, Passero, and as percussionist with the four-member ensemble, Datura Road. His instruments of choice are the riq (Egyptian tambourine), doumbek, tar, and drum set. David has also performed and recorded with meditative Himalayan bowls and other percussion with Peter Blum, including in the group, Pulse Field. Budd is currently studying with well-known drummer, Harvey Sorgen.
Raphael Garritano
Guitar and Mandolin
Raphael was born in 1953 in Europe and came to the United States in 1964. His time in Europe had a huge impact on him musically having been raised listening to Gregorian Chant and Mozart in the early part of his life. After many years of playing in rock and roll bands in NYC, Raphael formed the early music ensemble Sol Sonata, with the late Christopher Strone in 2000, which recorded and released a self-titled CD in 2001. Raphael continues to work as a professional musician in the tri-state area performing on guitar, mandolin and cuatro. In addition to teaching music theory and these instruments privately, Raphael is an adjunct professor at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge, NY.
Bill Cochran
French Horn
Beginning as a classically trained French Horn player, Bill has played as principle in the Cleveland Ballet and Opera Orchestra, the Ohio Chamber Orchestra and the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra. Some of his inspirations came from his horn teachers such as Lowell Greer, William Purvis and his father Patrick Cochran. Since finding his calling in improvising, he has pioneered the use of the Horn through electronic tools, such as looping, harmonizers, and traditional guitar effects. Using the name Granulated Cor you can listen to his compositions on Bandcamp - https://granulatedcor.bandcamp.com/releases. As an improviser and in the use of electronics he has performed with Mercury Rev Electric Light Ensemble and performs with the Karl Berger led Creative Music Studio Improvisers Orchestra.
Anna Womack
Vocals
Originally hailing from Western New York, Anna has been singing and pursuing music since she was very young. Although she loves working with most genres of music, jazz is her primary focus when not working with the group. Anna graduated in 2015 with a B.A. in International Affairs and Political Science with a minor in Theatre Studies. Datura Road is the latest musical collaboration she is proud to be a part of.