https://tinyurl.com/y8bsmpod District of Raga Presents: Improvisation Dialects, A meeting Point

Details: 7:30 - 8:30 PM Workshop with Deepak Ram (upstairs) Methodology and Philosophy of Improvisation in Indian Classical Music. Open to all, no prior experience necessary.

9:00 PM Concert Deepak Ram (Bansuri) Pepe Gonzalez (Bass) Avi Shah (Tabla and Percussion)

10:15 PM Raga Jam Session

Workshop + Concert: $15 (discounted from $20) Concert Only: $10 Workshop Only: $10 *Cash only accepted at the door

Disciple of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Deepak Ram is known for his evocative performances in traditional North Indian (Hindustani) Classical Music. Apart from the US, Deepak has performed in South Africa, India, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Austria, Germany, Lebanon, Turkey and Holland and had the honor of accompanying his teacher, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, in Geneva, London and Paris. In addition to his training under Pandit Chaurasia, Deepak learned from other maestros such as Sri Jeram Bhana (in South Africa), (late) Sri Suryakant Limaye and Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao. He also studied Tabla under Sri Yashwant Padhye and, music theory and voice under Pandit Rajaram Shukla. Deepak has eight solo albums to his credit and as a session musician can be heard on over twenty-five albums. Winner of several prestigious awards, Deepak holds a Masters degree in Music (MMus) from Rhodes University, South Africa. He served as visiting professor in Indian Music at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He has lectured full time for four years at the University of Durban-Westville, South Africa. www.deepakram.com

Living in Washington, DC, Pepe González is a performer, composer, producer, arranger, and teacher. Pepe has performed largely within the Jazz, Afro-Carribean and Brazilian idioms and hs recorded extensively with national and international musicians. He has had the pleasure of performing with Maria Rodriquez and her Latin Jazz Orchestra, Jeannie Bryson, Pepper Adams, Dorothy Donegan, Clifford Jordan, Horacio Icasto, Hilton Ruiz, Slide Hampton, Dave Valentin, the Grubb Brothers, and many others. Pepe has played many festivals including the Carribean, Spain, France, Greece, Italy and the Soviet Union. Pepe recently recorded his fist CD, Looking Back, where he shares with us his considerable composing and arranging chops. The CD includes nine original compositions, all written by Pepe and dedicated to his family, mentors, and heroes.

Raised in the US, Advait Shah (Avi) has been playing tabla since the age of eight. Largely a self taught musician, Advait has developed much of his musical knowledge and skill through listening to recordings and attending concerts. He received a basic training at the Faculty of Performing Arts of the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda during a trip to India in 1986. Upon his return to the USA, he began accompanying musicians in all genres of Indian music including Hindustani classical, ghazals, qawalis, film and devotional music. He later received advanced training from Ustad Tari Khan in Chicago, IL., and has had the opportunity to attend workshops taught by the great Ustad Zakir Hussain. As an accompanist, he has shared the stage with Nisar Bazmi, Ustad Nafiz Ali Khan and Pandit Subroto Roy Choudury, among others. Through his training and self study, Avi has developed a unique style which creatively blends a mix of East and West. Along with Karavika, he also plays with fusion alternative rock/Indian group Banyan Trees. Avi's musical interests also extend to singing ghazals and Hindi film songs as well as playing the dhol, and other percussion instruments. By profession, Avi is a practicing dentist in the Baltimore area.

After the performance our jam session will follow. We are focused on encouraging spontaneous collaboration between smaller groups of musicians. Pairs, trios, quartets: join up with other musicians that are present or that you've met at past events and sign up for a slot to play. We only ask that your performance is rooted in or inspired by the tradition of Indian Classical Music.

Hosted, organized, and curated by Nistha Raj and Avi Shah, District of Raga is a monthly event for Indian Classical music with featured artists followed by a jam session. All are welcome to participate. We are focused on encouraging spontaneous collaboration between smaller groups of musicians. Pairs, trios, quartets: join up with other musicians that are present or that you've met at past events and sign up for a slot to play. We only ask that your performance is rooted in or inspired by the tradition of Indian Classical Music. More info: https://www.facebook.com/districtofra ga/

Thank you for your support!! District of Raga