Talvin Singh and Niladri Kumar in Concert
22 -27 September 2009

Coming together for their first UK tour in 2009, Talvin Singh (tabla player, producer and composer) and Niladri Kumar (sitar player) will combine their deep rooted Indian classical training, and their modern, contemporary surroundings to create an extraordinary sound. Every performance will display each musician’s formidable talents and spectacular skills of musical expression and musicianship to unfold a novel soundscape within the classical music context.

About Talvin Singh

When he was just 15, Talvin Singh was living as both disciple of Tabla Maestro, Ustad Lachman Singh Seen, and an active member of the new breakbeat/electronica culture which was gradually developing in London at the time. This intriguing mixture inspired an aspiration to combine the two musical worlds and create a whole other palace of sound. So after his initial training in India, he returned with drive; a drive to fulfil, stimulating his early collaborations with artists such as Courtney Pine, and Sun Ra.

During this period, a new Asian underground scene was also taking shape and Singh then conceived ‘Anokha’, a brand to showcase raising talents of musicians and artists, to celebrate a new renaissance in modern Indian music. Anokha hosted a weekly night at the Blue Note club in east London and in 1996, he released his widely influential compilation album ‘Anokha – Sounds of the Asian Underground’ on his own Omni label.

Further along the road, using his undeniable passion for Tabla and newly crafted Tablatronic technology [honouring the aesthetic and cultural aspects of the Indian classical music tradition along with the sound and sensibilities of electronica] Singh had created a new sound. It encompassed connectivity between these diverse musical elements and so, using this newfound energy, he released his debut album “OK” in 1998.

The album was recorded in Mumbai, Madras, Okinawa, New York and London, and featured contributions from Bill Laswell, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ustad Sultan Khan and the Madras Philharmonic Orchestra. A year later, “OK” went on to win the Mercury Music Prize too much critical acclaim. Following closely behind, was another successful release with Universal Island; “Ha.” Now, as part of their 50th anniversary in 2009, Island Records have chosen Singh’s album “OK” as one of their iconic past recordings and will be re-releasing the album to aid their celebrations.

Since then, Talvin Singh has worked and collaborated, with and for a vast variety of artists from all parts of the world. These include Madonna, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Sun Ra, Björk, Massive Attack, Jay Z, and Blondie, to Ustad Sultan Khan, Rakesh Chaurasia, Niladri Kumar, Jajouka, Ustad Amjad Ali khan, the late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and many more.

Visit www.talvinsingh.com for more information

About Niladri Kumar

Niladri Kumar is a fourth generation musician from Kolkata. He was taught to play the Sitar from the age of 4 by his father Pandit Kartick Kumar of the Senia Gharana, and just two years later, he found himself performing before a live audience in ashram, Pondicherry, immediately showing his dexterity as a musician. Kumar has grown into a graceful, lyrical and technically exceptional artiste, performing regularly in recitals for diverse audiences.

He has also recorded many a time for the Mumbai film industry and has been hailed as one of the most serious young exponents of the sitar. He has won many awards for his contributions to music, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy's “Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar” for Instrumental Hindustani Music. Also, he won the MTV IMMIE for the Best Classical/Fusion Instrumental Album” for his album 'IF', displaying the depth of his knowledge and love of world music. He has performed with many contemporary artists such as Jonas Hellborg, John Mclaughlin and Salvaganesh to mention but a few.

Niladri Kumar’s new release, “Zitar” on Dreyfus Records sees him blur the line between genres and create a whole new perspective of music. He combines established genres such as rock, jazz and electronica, whilst paying homage to tradition, once again portraying his capacity to be at equal ease whether at home playing Classical or travelling, playing contemporary world music.

Visit www.niladrikumar.com for more information

UK Tour Dates