JP Concerts Presents Natraj: World-Jazz Fusion

World-jazz ensemble Natraj performs a concert in the JP Concerts series at St. John's Episcopal Church Jamaica Plain. Admission is $10 at the door, 12 and under free.  For directions, please visit www.jpconcerts.org. 
 
Deeply meditative North Indian ragas. Beautifully intricate South Indian rhythms. Driving African beats. Edgy contemporary jazz. Natraj puts it all together in its adventurous, engaging synthesis. This concert features contemporary treatments of Indian classical music, adaptations of traditional West African songs, and Natraj’s signature Indo-Afro-jazz originals.

“Natraj… a soul-stirring performance… intoxicating, meditative music… an exotic blend of… West African rhythms with the fluid and complex ragas of Southeast Asia… an unforgettable musical journey,” extols India New England. From Boston to Toronto, and Mumbai to Ghana, Natraj has delighted listeners since 1987. Now this acclaimed ensemble performs in the JP Concerts series. Natraj seamlessly melds the classical music of India, traditional music from West Africa, and contemporary jazz to create its own unique and infectious style. Appearances include India’s Jazz Yatra  and Prayojana International Music Festival, Ghana’s PANAFEST, and the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. Natraj has performed with icons of Indian classical music including Kadri Gopalnath, Chitravina Ravikiran, Shashank, Ronu Majumdar, and Trichy Sankaran. “A true fusion of jazz and world musics… A compelling blend of Indian, African, and Jazz musics… Excellent tunes… It all works quite beautifully,” raves Cadence magazine.
 
In this concert, Natraj features the raga-influenced soprano and sopranino saxophones of Phil Scarff; the emotive inflections of violinist and violist Rohan Gregory; the warm, nimble solidity of bassist Mike Rivard; the tabla and multipercussion mastery of Jerry Leake; and high-energy groove of drummer Bertram Lehmann.

World-jazz fusion: www.natrajmusic.com