Asian Music Circuit

2005/2006 Programme

May | June | July | Sep/Oct/Nov

The Asian Music Circuit's artistic programmes have always been underpinned by excellence, tradition, innovation, variety, and above all they have been entertaining and informative. The 2005-2006 programme is true to form and offers a superb mix of musical styles from across Asia, characterised by group performances or “bands”, and solo tributes.

At a glance, the programme can be broken down into three parts: a continuation of the highly successful concept of ‘The Little Chilli' festival in May/June; the Summer School Concerts in July; and finally the Autumn Concerts of September/October/November.

All programmes and artists are subject to change without prior notice.
Tours will depend upon the demand for each group/artist.

Artist		Tour Dates
		MAY/JUNE : ‘The Little Chilli' festival
“ RHYTHMS OF SHAKTI ” (India)
A superb, all-female group of Indian Carnatic musicians, led by Latha Ramchar – the only lady khanjira (small tambourine) player in India. Living up to the name ‘SHAKTI' (the female energy and force in our life and nature), this unique group of six female musicians is highly talented and very powerful. The addition of a saxophone player amongst a group of traditional musicians adds great interest and flair.		FRI 20 MAY 7.30pm LONDON Purcell Room 08703 800 400 www.rfh.org.uk SUN 22 MAY 12.30pm BATH Guildhall 01225 463 362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk Part of Bath International Music Festival SUN 22 MAY 10.30am and 2.30pm BATH Guildhall Workshops 01225 463 362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk Part of Bath International Music Festival SAT 28 MAY from 4pm NOTTINGHAM Market Square 0115 915 8606 Part of South Asian Arts Festival *See the Little Chilli pages for further information.*
HINDUSTANI VOCAL: PIU SARKHEL & AMIT MUKERJEE (double bill)
The real Indian music is to be found in the voice – the basis for all music in India. Hindustani vocal music is recognised for its incredible virtuosity, technique, intonation and melodic beauty. To listen to these two first class singers of North Indian Classical music is an experience not to be missed, one which can be spiritually uplifting as well as awesome. Both artists sing in the Amir Khan gayaki, a tradition named after the legendary late Ustad Amir Khan.		SUN 15 MAY 5pm ESSEX Laindon James Hornsby School 01702 715 843/01268 414 414 SAT 21 MAY 8pm BATH Guildhall 01225 463 362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk Part of Bath International Music Festival SUN 22 MAY 10.30am BATH Guildhall Workshop 01225 463 362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk Part of Bath International Music Festival MON 23 MAY 7.30pm LONDON Purcell Room 08703 800 400 www.rfh.org.uk *See the Little Chilli pages for further information.*
MRIGYA
Enter the global sound world of Mrigya, a unique fusion band from Delhi which presents a rich blend of blues, funk, latino and Indian Classical music. Mrigya stretches the boundaries of music with a sound that unites the world as one family, a philosophy which is demonstrated in the term “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam”. Mrigya became the first Indian band to get a 4 star rating with the Scotsman at the 2001 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This is an experience not to be missed!		WED 25 MAY 8pm LONDON Bar Bollywood 020 7493 0200 www.barbollywood.net THU 26 MAY 8.15pm CRAWLEY The Hawth 01293 553 636 www.hawth.co.uk FRI 27 MAY 7.30pm NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall 0115 989 5555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk Part of South Asian Arts Festival “A show we'll never forget. The ambiance was out of this world.” Purana Quila “Fusion music in its most positive, most elastic sense” The Herald *See the Little Chilli pages for further information.*
JAPANESE MASK DANCE: HONGAWA KAGURA
Kagura is one of the oldest surviving forms of performing arts in Japan and has had an influence on Noh and Kabuki. The origins of Kagura can be traced back to Japanese Shinto mythology where it is represented in a famous story about the Goddess of the Sun – Amaterasu. Kagura is performed with masks representing various Gods and accompanied by traditional instruments and singing. This is a rare opportunity to experience the enchanting performances of Kagura in the UK.		SAT 21 MAY 12.30pm BATH Guildhall 01225 463 362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk Part of Bath International Music Festival SAT 21 MAY 10.30am and 2.30pm BATH Guildhall Workshops 01225 463 362 www.bathmusicfest.org.uk Part of Bath International Music Festival SAT 28 MAY 7.30pm LONDON LSO St Luke’s 020 7638 8891 www.lso.co.uk/lsostlukes FRI 3 JUNE 3pm LLANGOLLEN Workshop Royal International Pavilion 01978 860 111 www.royal-pavilion.co.uk FRI 3 JUNE 7.30pm LLANGOLLEN Royal International Pavilion 01978 860 111 www.royal-pavilion.co.uk *See the Little Chilli pages for further information.*
Ghulam Ali (Pakistan)
Time and tide stand still when Ustad Ghulam Ali occupies centre stage and unlocks the eternity of emotions that run through his exquisite rendering of the ghazal. Ghulam Ali is probably one of the biggest names in the music of the South Asian sub-continent and is one of the pioneers responsible for reviving the beautiful style of ghazal in the seventies.		TUE 31 MAY 7.45pm LONDON Queen Elizabeth Hall 08703 800 400 www.rfh.org.uk WED 1 JUNE 7.30pm BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall 0121 780 3333 www.symphonyhall.co.uk/boxoffice Part of the Master Musicians of India and Pakistan series THU 2 JUNE 7.45pm BASINGSTOKE The Anvil 01256 844 244 www.theanvil.org.uk SAT 4 JUNE 7.30pm MIDDLESBOROUGH Town Hall 01642 729 729 07764 576 665 MON 6 JUNE 7.30pm NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall 0115 989 5555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk Part of South Asian Arts Festival *See the Little Chilli pages for further information.*
THE HUA FAMILY SHAWM BAND
Shawm band musicians are the gypsies of China, and the Hua family band are among the most exhilarating. Led by master musicians Hua Yinshan (shawm) and his older brother Hua Jinshan (drum), they are busy performing for funerals and calendrical ceremonies. In 2002 the band scored a big hit at Yo Yo Ma's Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington.		FRI 10 JUNE 8pm DORSET Portesham Village Hall nr Weymouth 01305 871 780 www.artsreach.co.uk SAT 11 JUNE 7.30pm LONDON LSO St Luke's 020 7638 8891 www.lso.co.uk/lsostlukes SUN 12 JUNE from 3pm OXFORD Cowley Road Carnival 01865 488 369 Presented by Oxford Contemporary Music Workshops THU 2 JUNE 6pm LONDON SOAS Introductory demonstrations with the Hua Family Shawm Band WED 8 JUNE 6pm LONDON SOAS Lecture and workshop on Chinese Shawm Bands THU 16 JUNE 11am-5pm LONDON SOAS Public workshop with members of the Hua Family All events will be led by Dr Stephen Jones. During the tour period, an additional series of performance workshops will be held at SOAS to learn pieces from the shawm repertory. If you would like to take part, please contact Dr Jones at zhongsidi@hotmail.com, or telephone the AHRB Research Centre for Music and Dance Performance, on 020 7898 4515. *See the Little Chilli pages for further information.*
“THE SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP” qawwali
Following the success of the Nizami Brother's debut UK in 2004, the singers return their cousins from Pakistan spirit of friendship and co-operation between India and Pakistan. The group perform devotional music rooted in the Sufi mystical traditions which is both lyrical and vitally rhythmic.		SAT 4 JUNE 8pm DEVON Great Torrington The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624 624 www.plough-arts.org SUN 5 JUNE 3pm MANCHESTER Platt Fields Park Wilmslow Road, Rusholme www.streetsahead.org.uk Part of The Garden of Delights THU 9 JUNE 8pm BRISTOL St George's 0117 923 0359 www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk SAT 11 JUNE 7.30pm CRAWLEY The Hawth 01293 553 636 www.hawth.co.uk SUN 12 JUNE 7.30pm LONDON Purcell Room 08703 800 400 www.rfh.org.uk FRI 17 JUNE 7.30pm NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall 0115 989 5555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk Part of South Asian Arts Festival SAT 18 JUNE 8pm BASINGSTOKE Carnival Hall 01256 413 929 SUN 19 JUNE 7.30pm EXETER Northcott Theatre 01392 213 161 www.exeter.gov.uk/festival *See the Little Chilli pages for further information.*
CIREBONESE MASK DANCE AND GAMELAN
Traditional mask dances are a vibrant, living tradition in West Java, Indonesia and the Cirebonese mask dance style is known for its vitality, startling energy, stamina and spirit. Dhalang Rasinah is a maestro of Indramayu mask dance (Topeng Indramayu) and at the age of 75 she has great passion and energy to dance. In this tradition the mask is sacred and is believed to possess mystical powers.		THU 7 JULY 8pm BRISTOL St George's 0117 923 0359 www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk SAT 9 JULY 8pm DEVON Great Torrington The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624 624 www.plough-arts.org FRI 15 and SAT 16 JULY LONDON Workshops LSO St Luke's 020 8742 9911 www.amc.org.uk SAT 16 JULY 7.30pm LONDON LSO St Luke's 020 7638 8891 www.lso.co.uk/lsostlukes *See the Little Chilli pages for further information.*
		JULY : Summer Schools
		Indian Music Summer School Chinese Music Summer School Japanese Music Summer School *See the Summer School pages for further information.*
Sat 23 July 7.30pm		SOULFUL MUSIC FROM CHINA & NORTH INDIA Cheng Yu pipa Wang Ciheng dizi UK Chinese Ensemble Uday Bhawalkar dhrupad Manik Munde pakhawaj
Sun 24 July 7.30pm		ETHEREAL CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL & LYRICAL THUMRI VOCAL Zeng Chengwei guqin Hu Bin erhu UK Chinese Ensemble Sunanda Sharma thumri Accompanied on tabla, sarangi, harmonium and tanpura
Mon 25 July 7.30pm		ELECTRIFYING INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC FROM JAPAN & NORTH INDIA Sayuri Ono shinobue Etusko Takezawa koto Purbayan Chatterjee sitar Accompanied on tabla and tanpura
Sat 30 July 7.30pm		EXQUISITE VOCAL MUSIC FROM NORTH INDIA Rajan and Sajan Misra khyal Accompanied on tabla, sarangi, harmonium and tanpura
		PLEASE NOTE that summer school participants are entitled to attend 2 concerts as part of the Summer School fee (please specify your choice of concerts on the booking form). Tickets £12 (£10 concession) Barbican Box Office: 020 7638 8891 (9am – 8pm daily, booking fee) or www.barbican.org.uk/eticketing (reduced booking fee) Concerts promoted in partnership with LSO St Luke’s UBS and LSO Music Education Centre Programme subject to change without prior notice.
		SEPT/OCT/NOV
		Vishwa Mohan Bhatt Grammy award winner for his recording with Ry Cooder. Vishwa Mohan plays his modified slide guitar with his son Salil Bhatt accompanied by the finest female tabla player in North Indian music – Anuradha Pal. Read more details...
		Manjiri Asnare-Kelkar “part of the tribute series” Manjiri pays tribute to one of the major gharanas of Indian Classical music – the Jaipur gharana made famous by great singers, such as ALLADIYA KHAN, BHURJI KHAN, and KESARBAI KERKAR. Manjiri Asnare-Kelkar is without doubt one of the outstanding talents of India today who carries on the tradition with authority and integrity. Read more details...

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