This bandish in Raag Darbari has several versions with different lyrics which express devotion, both Hindu and Muslim. Whatever the lyrics, the mood is Darbari; somber, majestic, profound, and noble. Living musical traditions transform and evolve, absorbing new elements along the way. My guru, Dr. N. Rajam, was already a virtuoso in her native Carnatic tradition by the time she traveled from Chennai to Benares to learn N. Indian music from her guru, Omkarnath Thakur when she

Presented by Arts Nova Workshop in partnership with the Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia Go: Organic Orchestra & Brooklyn Raga Massive World premiere of RAGMALA: A Garland of Ragas Composed and spontaneously conducted by Adam Rudolph This project brings together two innovative groups—Adam Rudolph’s Go: Organic Orchestra and Brooklyn Raga Massive—for an exploration into new dimensions, based around India’s raga and tala traditions. The longtime percussionist and bandle

I had a blast performing a set of solo hindustani music with my friend and tabla virtuoso Mir Naqibul Islam as the featured artist on one of Brooklyn Raga Massive's weekly events . I included raga Durga, a thumri in raag Mishra Kafi, two compositions from Natya Sangeet and concluded with Raag Bhairavi. PROGRAM - 'Raga Durga' A Bandesh in Japtaal and a faster one in Teentall- This raga is associated with the Hindu goddess Durga. Traditionally, the time for this raga is late

I had a wonderful time playing Inner Rhyme with Layale Chaker, Phillip Golub, Adam Maalouf and Marouen Allam today at WNYC Soundcheck. Thanks to Jon Schaefer for having us and Johnny Gandelsman for making it happen. #NewYorkPublicRadio #LayaleChakerSarafand #LayaleChaker #PhillipGolub #AdamMaalouf #JakeCharkey #CelloJake #NYCMusic #Poetry #BrooklynMusic #PublicRadio #InnerRhyme #Jazz #WNYC #MarouenAllam

Arun Ramamurthy curated this month of collaborative trios at Brooklyn Raga Massive. This new group is his brainchild and what incredible musicians to work with! This has been one of the more exciting collaborations I've been a part of in years and a real antidote to all the cheesy fusion I've had to do in India. So fresh to approach Indian music as a vehicle for contemporary expression, still giving respect to the tradition. https://www.facebook.com/events/1021326028256414

Sweet performance the other night with Roshni Samlal and Kane Mathis at Brooklyn Raga Massive as a guest artist along with Utsav Lal. Roshni Samlal, in her duo project Orakel with Kane Mathis, brings together multiple, tangential musical circles, in an expansive project incorporating traditional and experimental works. The set will include both original and emblematic song forms of the West African jeli repertoire, classical Turkish oud (Kane Mathis), recontextualized tabla s

Ever heard Carnatic Chamber Jazz? Me neither- til now. Played a sweet set last night with Marika Hughes and the power team Arun Ramamurthy and Trina Basu during Marika's month-long residency at Barbès. I'd performed this music with Trina and Arun with percussion, but never with two cellos. Great combo! More to come soon...we'll be in residence at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute in June. Nakshatra at Barbès - Marika Hughes Residency https://www.facebook.com/events/599712

I was honored to perform with Nakshatra at the Lyric Chamber Society in New York. Led by violinists Trina Basu and Arun Ramamurthy, Nakshatra reimagines the potential of string Chamber Music for our global times. The group explores beauty found at the intersections of their musical paths, where original compositions weave together threads of South Indian classical, Western chamber music, jazz and creative improvisation. We were joined by Rich Stein on percussion for a divers

I had a blast performing a set of solo hindustani music with my friend and tabla virtuoso Narendra Budhakar as the featured artist on one of Brooklyn Raga Massive's weekly events . I included the seasonal raga Miyan ki Malhar to celebrate the monsoon and challenged myself with a blazing fast composition in adha chautal (14 beat cycle) which you can hear me practicing here: #IndianCello #NarendraBudhakar #cello #HindustaniCello #Hindustani #IndianClassicalMusic #JakeCharkey #