THE RAGA BOP TRIO REACH ACROSS AND BEYOND CULTURAL AND MUSICAL LINES
AT JAZZ CAFE/ NOVEMBER 19 & 20, 2010
Jazz Cafe at Music Hall presents the return of Drummer, Steve Smith and his newest project, Steve Smith, George Brooks, Prasanna - The Raga Bop Trio - the finale in our Drum Battle Series, for two nights and four sets, Friday, November 19th and Saturday, November 20th at 8 and 10PM each night.
Composed of award-winning drummer Steve Smith (Journey, Vital Information, and innumerable rock, pop, and R&B sessions), saxophonist and composer George Brooks (Summit, Bombay Jazz with Larry Coryell), and guitarist and composer Prasanna (Dave Douglas, Vijay Iyer), the Raga Bop Trio play a fluidly inventive music that bravely and insightfully combines improvisational traditions from around the world. Drawing upon the urgency and harmonic density of jazz, the rhythmic complexity and melodic richness of Indian classical music and a range of pan-African grooves, the uniquely constructed trio's self-titled debut album is simultaneously groundbreaking and refreshingly listenable.
Jazz Cafe at Music Hall presents the return of Drummer, Steve Smith and his newest project, Steve Smith, George Brooks, Prasanna - The Raga Bop Trio - the finale in our Drum Battle Series, for two nights and four sets, Friday, November 19th and Saturday, November 20th at 8 and 10PM each night.
Composed of award-winning drummer Steve Smith (Journey, Vital Information, and innumerable rock, pop, and R&B sessions), saxophonist and composer George Brooks (Summit, Bombay Jazz with Larry Coryell), and guitarist and composer Prasanna (Dave Douglas, Vijay Iyer), the Raga Bop Trio play a fluidly inventive music that bravely and insightfully combines improvisational traditions from around the world. Drawing upon the urgency and harmonic density of jazz, the rhythmic complexity and melodic richness of Indian classical music and a range of pan-African grooves, the uniquely constructed trio's self-titled debut album is simultaneously groundbreaking and refreshingly listenable.
Their eponymous first album has received 4 stars
from DownBeat, Jazzwise and Drummer Magazines.
While Raga Bop Trio is the group's first studio recording, the musicians have been exploring these hybrid musical concepts for some time. Since 2004, Smith and Prasanna had pursued their own version of the Indian percussion-plus-melody duo format, while Smith has also performed in Brooks' Indian/jazz fusion outfit Summit since 2003. A direct extension of these endeavors, the Raga Bop Trio uses its unusual, stripped-down lineup to highlight the rhythmic intricacy of the compositions, while allowing for maximum interplay. Instrumental roles are re-imagined and transformed, with Brooks' saxophones occasional taking on the role of the droning tanpura, Smith's toms functioning as a bass instrument, and Prasanna's guitar taking on a disarming, almost vocal quality.
While Raga Bop Trio is the group's first studio recording, the musicians have been exploring these hybrid musical concepts for some time. Since 2004, Smith and Prasanna had pursued their own version of the Indian percussion-plus-melody duo format, while Smith has also performed in Brooks' Indian/jazz fusion outfit Summit since 2003. A direct extension of these endeavors, the Raga Bop Trio uses its unusual, stripped-down lineup to highlight the rhythmic intricacy of the compositions, while allowing for maximum interplay. Instrumental roles are re-imagined and transformed, with Brooks' saxophones occasional taking on the role of the droning tanpura, Smith's toms functioning as a bass instrument, and Prasanna's guitar taking on a disarming, almost vocal quality.
In the hands of amateurs, this delicate balance of compositional sophistication, improvisational intensity,
and international influences would be unthinkable – yet the Raga Bop Trio delivers it with overwhelming grace and aplomb.
www.ragaboptrio.com
Photo credit: Dawn Heumann
Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 night of the shows at The Music Hall Box Office or www.ticketmaster.com
Jazz Café
Music Hall
350 Madison
Detroit, MI 28226
(313) 887-8500
www.jazzcafedetroit.com
www.musichall.org
www.ragaboptrio.com
Photo credit: Dawn Heumann
Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 night of the shows at The Music Hall Box Office or www.ticketmaster.com
Jazz Café
Music Hall
350 Madison
Detroit, MI 28226
(313) 887-8500
www.jazzcafedetroit.com
www.musichall.org