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Sibarg Ensemble + Swaminathan/Prakash/Escreet
Sibarg Ensemble + Swaminathan/Prakash/Escreet
May 15 @ 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
7pm – Sibarg Ensemble
Hesam Abedini – vocals
Josh Charney – piano
Bahar Badietabar – oud
Corey Fogel – drums
8:15pm – Swaminathan/Prakash/Escreet
Rajna Swaminathan – mrudangam
Aditya Prakash – vocals
John Escreet – piano
Sibarg Ensemble
The Sibarg Ensemble explores a creative intercultural music making by combining the sounds of traditional Iranian music and jazz. Through original compositions, arrangements of classical melodies and folksongs, and structured improvisations, ensemble members draw on their own distinct musical backgrounds, while creating a unique dialogue with one another. With each performance, Sibarg sets out to create a sense of unity and peace while facilitating multiculturalism.
Sibarg was established in 2008 by Hesam Abedini at the Tehran Music Conservatory. Since 2015 Sibarg has been performing both Iranian/Jazz Improvised music in collaboration with various musicians in the USA. For this performance vocalist Hesam Abedini and pianist Josh Charney will be joined by LA-based drummer, Corey Fogel and Boston-based oud player, Bahar Badietabar to perform original compositions inspired by classical and contemporary Persian poetry.
Rajna Swaminathan
Rajna Swaminathan is an acclaimed mrudangam artist, composer, and scholar. Rajna has been described as “a vital new voice” (Pop Matters), creating “music of gravity and rigor… yet its overall effect is accessible and uplifting” (Wall Street Journal). In her music and research, she explores the undercurrents of rhythmic experience and emergent textures in collective improvisation.
One of only a few women who play the mrudangam professionally, Rajna received her creative foundation on the instrument from her father, P.K. Swaminathan, and mrudangam legend Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman. Through extensive experience performing in the Karnatik music and bharatanatyam scenes, an affinity for various streams of South Asian film/popular music, and deep collaborative work in New York’s jazz and creative music scene, Rajna developed experimental approaches to improvising on the mrudangam, piano, and voice.