25
Jan 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Quoz Arts Fest 2025
Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
When the spontaneous beats of jazz intertwine with the intricate footwork of Kathak, something extraordinary happens. This unique jugalbandi unites the grace of Indian classical dance with the improvisation of jazz, creating a seamless dialogue between traditions.
Led by Kathak & Lavani Exponent Aditi Bhagwat, Harpist
Dr. Susan E. Mazer, and Woodwind Performer Dallas Smith,
the ensemble’s dynamic lineup combines ethereal tones of electro-acoustic pedal
harp, world-jazz flutes with the percussive flair of traditional tabla, drums,
and evocative storytelling. This fusion offers a fresh look at the shared
language of East and West, classical and jazz—promising an unforgettable
evening of artistic exploration. Experience jazz-infused soundscapes enriched
by the timeless beauty of Hindustani classical influences.
Join us for an unforgettable evening as
two distinct musical worlds merge in an exquisite cultural celebration.
ADITI BHAGWAT Aditi began rigorous training in the Jaipur style of ‘Kathak’ dance under Padmashri Dr. Roshan Kumari with strict discipline and ethics at the tender age of 4yrs. She has also received the able guidance of Kathak exponent Smt. Nandita Puri and Tabla virtuoso Pt. Yogesh Samsi. Having secured a masters in Psychology, Aditi did her masters in Kathak dance from the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. She is an ‘A’ graded artist of the Doordarshan Kendra, impaneled with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and has received the title of ‘Nalanda Nritya Nipun’ from the Nalanda Dance and Research Academy, Mumbai. She is a TEDx Serene Meadows 2021 speaker and has conducted workshops in Storytelling through expression dance for Summertime at Prithvi Theatre and the TPot Theatre Fest. With a strong foothold in traditional Kathak dance, Aditi has experimented with the traditions of Jazz and world music. Aditi collaborated with Flamenco exponent Bettina Castaño and Jazz artists Dallas Smith and Susan Mazer from USA on her recent venture ‘Crossroads’ in association with the Consulate of Spain in Mumbai. Aditi received the OneBeat fellowship which was an initiative of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Under this fellowship Aditi collaborated with 32 musicians from all over the world. Aditi featured as a ‘foot percussionist’ from India and successfully combined Indian rhythms and Kathak bols (syllables) through her feet and ghungroos. Aditi deeply loves and respects the rich cultural heritage that our country is adorned with. She is indebted to her Gurus for introducing her to this beautiful culture of Kathak dance and classical music.
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Harpist, Dr. Susan E. Mazer and Woodwind performer, Dallas Smith, have been making music together for four decades. Combining their shared skills and knowledge in classical music and jazz, they offer a fusion of several styles, including Hindustani classical music. In addition to moving the harp past its own classical roots, Mazer is known for her use of technology to expand the instrument's dynamic capacity. Smith also has expanded the use of the Bansuri, known within classical genres, to be effective within jazz ensembles.Together they have recorded over 20 albums and co-founded The C.A.R.E. Channel, the only 24-hour relaxation channel for patient television, now being broadcast in over 1200 hospitals in the US and abroad.
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Emmanuel Simon, initially trained as a Western classical pianist, is nowadays a professional percussionist and a versatile musician, having gathered over the years extensive knowledge, both practical and academic, in classical and contemporary Western music as well as in Latin, West-African and Indian Classical music fields. Settled in India since 2011, as a session musician and band leader of the Latin-jazz band The Latination, he has collaborated with many different artists for studio and TV recordings as well as live performances and toured all over India and South Asia in many prestigious auditoriums and festivals.He is currently a full-time faculty and professor at School of Performing Arts, NMIMS University, Mumbai.
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Unmesh Banerjee One of the most promising tabla players of his generation, Unmesh Banerjee hails from a family stepped deep into North Indian Classical Music. He received intense taalim in the Farukkabad baaj from his Father and Guru, Pandit Sunil Banerjee. His mother Smt Bharati Nanavati Banerjee is a versatile vocalist of the Patiala Gharana. Unmesh was initiated into the world of Carnatic rhythm under the mridangam stalwart Vidwan S.Sekhar.Unmesh has been performing since the age of 6 and has played solos and accompanied various veteran artists and young masters across different genres in India and abroad. Unmesh is also a passionate teacher and loves to share his knowledge with those seeking a rhythmic upliftment. He teaches tabla, North Indian rhythm and South Indian rhythm techniques to beginners, intermediate and advanced students.
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'World Music' and Fusion
In the 1980s, the term ‘world music’ was coined as a marketing strategy by music promoters, distributors, stores, and media in the UK and the US to categorize non-English musical genres. Nigerian juju musician King Sunny Ade’s success in the US highlighted an untapped market for international music styles. Early pioneers in this space included Ravi Shankar, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Youssou N’Dour. Founded by rock musician Peter Gabriel, the World of Music, Arts, and Dance Festival (WOMAD) launched in 1982 and continues to showcase diverse global music traditions.
Initially, ‘world music’ implied a certain traditional authenticity. However, as globalization expanded, fusion between musical genres became more prevalent. Before the ‘world music’ label, the collaboration between celebrated violinist Yehudi Menuhin and sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar on the album West Meets East (1967) marked a significant blend of Western classical music and Hindustani classical music. In the 1990s, bands like Afro Celt Sound System blended Gaelic and West African elements. In contrast, in 2015, American rock band Radiohead collaborated with Israeli composer Shye Ben Tzur and the Rajasthani Folk Band Rajasthan Express to produce the album Junun. Critics argue that the term ‘world music’ generalizes and oversimplifies diverse global cultures, with its origins rooted in colonialist perspectives. Reflecting this, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences renamed its Best World Music Album category to Best Global Music Album.
The Art of Storytelling in Kathak
Originating in North India, Kathak is celebrated for its powerful storytelling. Through intricate footwork, expressive facial expressions, and nuanced hand gestures, Kathak performers recount stories from Hindu mythology. Like other Indian classical dances, Kathak relies heavily on mudras (hand gestures), which are vital in conveying meaning. Connections between nature and human experiences are symbolized through specific mudras, such as Pataka (representing mountains, flags, or victory) and Mayur (a peacock gesture also used to express sadness). Rhythmic complexity is central to Kathak, with tatkar (footwork) providing both structure and dynamic expression. Additionally, orality plays a key role, as students learn rhythmic patterns through bol (syllables or beats).
The Legacy of Jazz in India
Jazz has a long-standing and vibrant history in India, dating back to the 1920s. The genre experienced its peak in the 1930s to 1950s, as African-American musicians, facing racial discrimination in the US, found acceptance and an eager audience in India. Naresh Fernandes, author of Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay’s Jazz Age, explores Mumbai’s jazz culture, where local musicians like Chic Chocolate, Chris Perry, and Frank Fernand were central to the city’s lively jazz scene. Jazz also served as a Cold War cultural diplomacy tool; touring musicians were used to present Americans as “open and fun,” contrasting with the Soviet Union’s image, which was symbolized by “namby-pamby ballet,” as Fernandes notes.
