Événement

TONGUES: Mat Maneri & Ashvin Bhogendra + Panel & Workshop

Saturday, June 18th, at 7pm ISSUE Project Room presents the latest in the TONGUES series. Organized by vocalist and composer Amirtha Kidambi, the evening will feature performances by violinist Mat Maneri, as well as a trio performance featuring Carnatic vocalist Ashvin Bhogendra, Carnatic violinist, improviser, and theater artist Anjna Swaminathan, and Mrudangam composer and improviser Rajna Swaminathan. The concert will be followed by a brief discussion on various approaches and philosophies on improvisation, with Mat Maneri, Anjna Swaminathan, Rajna Swaminathan, Ashvin Bhogendra and special guest saxophonist and composer Matana Roberts.

In collaboration with Issue Project Room, TONGUES will also present workshops and educational outreach to deepen the relationship with new audiences and the future generation of musicians and listeners. These additional activities will focus on the history, text, cultural context and methods for improvising.

TONGUES: A Carnatic Music Primer for Young Musicians @ 3PM

ISSUE Project Room will host an open workshop for young musicians ages 13-19 led by violinist Anjna Swaminathan and mrudangamist/composer Rajna Swaminathan, introducing basic concepts of Carnatic music to Western Classical and Jazz trained students at 3pm before the performances. The workshop will be a Carnatic Music primer, with a brief introduction to Raga (melodies and scales), Tala (rhythm and time cycles), Gamaka (ornaments), history, text, cultural context and methods for improvising. Participants will need some training in their instrument or voice, knowledge of musical concepts and terminology (in their area of study), and will need to bring their instrument to play.

*workshop participants gain free attendance to evening concert

TONGUES brings Indian traditional music outside of cultural enclaves, providing access to a broader audience and musical community. In the series, Indian music provides a unique context for listening to experimental and improvised music, some of which draws influence from the traditions not only sonically and aesthetically, but also in approach and philosophy. A diverse group of performers and traditional Indian musicians are presented side-by-side to inform listening and create enriched understanding, crossing-over both practices. TONGUES started in 2013 at the Silent Barn DIY space in Bushwick, presenting performances by Matana Roberts, Che Chen, Leyna M. Papach, Peter Evans, Dada Tapan Kanti Baidhya, Arun Ramamurthy, Akshay Anantapadmanabhan, and Rajna and Anjna Swaminathan.