Trichy Sankaran - a week of magic.

I've just finished a week of rehearsing, recording and performing with Trichy Sankaran and the Offering of Curtis Andrews.  Curtis has been Sankaran's disciple for over twenty years and did all the work organizing the visit, grant writing (thanks Canada Council!) logistics as well as writing some music.  Sankaran Sir was also commissioned to write a piece for the occasion "Chapu Tala Malika", a piece that turned out to be as difficult as it is beautiful in its rhythmic architecture.  The piece was constructed around a 24 beat cycle of chapu talas in 3, 5, 7, and 9.

To spend time playing with and learning from Sanakarn Sir was truly a privilege.  I feel like my rhythmic understanding and ability has grown exponentially as a result. His musical precision, gorgeous drum tones, deep laya (time feel or groove), improvisational prowess, and excellent jokes made for an enlightening and uplifting ten days. The experience was surely one of the top musical highlights of my career thus far.

Curtis, Dave Spidel, Robin Layne, Vidyasagar Vankayala, and Kaushik Sivaramakrishnan were dream band-mates throughout.

Pictures courtesy of Kaushik.

Upcoming gig with Trichy Sankaran

I am really excited about an upcoming gig with Sri Trichy Sankaran. Sankaran is one of the world's foremost Carnatic percussionists performing on mrdangam and kanjira. His 6 decade-long career has taken him around the globe as a performer, composer, collaborator, and teacher. This amazing opportunity has come my way through my friend, Curtis Andrews, a drummer and composer who is one of Sankaran's disciples and the organizer of this concert.

We'll perform music by Curtis and his guru in traditional Carnatic contexts as well as more fusion-oriented settings. There are some other excellent musicians and friends on board including: Robin Layne (vibraphone, percussion), David Spidel (electric bass), Kaushik Sivaramakrishnan (Carnatic violin), Vidyasagar Vankayala (Carnatic vocal)

Don't miss this one if you are in Vancouver on September 22.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2169186210027012/

Recording with Vinny Golia

I've been fortunate to spend the last week rehearsing, recording and playing with Vinny Golia, Clyde Reed, and Greg Campbell. It has been a lot of fun musically and very important opportunity for personal growth as well.  Vinny is amazing in so many ways.
Many thanks to the Quan Family PD Fund for help in making this happen.
Recording will come out later this year.