 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Asia |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 Trilok Gurtu (India)
Song : Brindavan Dance Album : Remembrance (Universal Music)
Visit : & Elsewhere in 大象传媒i : CD review
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |

Long before the UK's Asian Underground scene emerged in the late 1990s, Trilok Gurtu was creating his own experimental fusions between Indian music, rock, jazz and even African styles. So, its no surprise that he's now cited as a major influence by artists like Nitin Sawhney, Asian Dub Foundation and Talvin Singh.
During live performances he often kneels to play his customised east/west hybrid kit of drums, gongs, cymbals, shakers, bells and chimes. His playful approach to music seems to rub off on the audience, who seldom miss a beat during sing-alongs.
Born 50 years ago in Bombay, Gurtu grew up surrounded by music. His grandfather played the sitar and his mother Shobha Gurtu is still popular as a singer of a light classical Hindustani (North Indian) style called thumri. They fostered his natural desire to join in family jam sessions and he began to play percussion instruments from the age of six.
As a teenager, he was soon drawn to foreign sounds and claims to have wanted to play the tablas like Jimi Hendrix played the guitar. After travelling in Europe for two years, he returned to Bombay to work as a professional musician on Bollywood soundtracks, rubbing shoulders with the great playback singer Asha Bhosle among others.
During the 80s and 90s Gurtu lived and worked in Europe and the US, playing and recording with a wide range of performers. Among the most prominent were jazz fusionists Oregon, Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos, the John McLaughlin Trio, Pat Metheney and Joe Zawinul. He even toured with classical musicians.
He began making solo albums in 1986, and by 1998 had reached a turning point.
The African Fantasy album took him away from jazz and towards his most fully realised fusion of African and Indian sounds. Guest appearances by Oumou Sangare, Ang茅lique Kidjo and Zap Mama's Sabine Kabongo helped it outsell all his previous efforts. He followed it with The Beat Of Love, which extended the African connection to include contributions by Wally Badarou and Salif Keita as well as introducing several Bollywood musicians and vocalists.
Trilok's music has come full circle with the release of latest album Remembrance 颅 his first recording made completely in India with Indian musicians. These include tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, top Bollywood singer Shankar Mahadevan and, once again, his mum. All this has earned him a 大象传媒 Radio 3 Awards for World Music nomination for the second year running.
Jon Lusk 2002
Read your comments on Trilok Gurtu
More Indian music on Radio 3: Tabla in London Dhol drum in London Singing at the Shivan Temple in London North Indian classical vocals from Fife
 |
 |
|
 |

AWARDS HOMEPAGE
 FEATURES
 AUDIENCE AWARD
 SCREENSAVER
 AWARDS PHOTOS

NOMINEES:
 Alka Yagnik
 Bembeya Jazz
 DuOuD
 Eliza Carthy
 Ellika and Solo
 Gotan Project
 Kasse Mady Diabat茅
 Kayhan Kalhor
 Kimmo Pohjonen
 Lila Downs
 Los de Abajo
 Mahwash and Ensemble Kaboul
 Mariza
 Oi Va Voi
 Ojos de Brujo
 Omar Faruk Tekbilek
 Orchestra Baobab
 Papa Noel and Papi Oviedo
 Salif Keita
 Samira Said
 Sergey Starostin
 Susana Baca
 Te Vaka
 Tony Allen
 Trilok Gurtu
 Yair Dalal
 Youssou N'Dour
 Yusa

OUR PARTNERS:








OTHER LINKS:




|
 |
 |
|