About the performance

Iconoclastic clarinettist Arun Ghosh presents Afrocoustics & Indo-vations – a visceral, fiery, pan-cultural mix of horns, koras and percussive drive. West Bengal meets West Africa in powerful contemporary musical narratives that traverse the world jazz terrain while remaining firmly rooted within the best of eclectic British tradition. Intimate sets from kora virtuosi culminate in Ghosh leading a big band.

Key Personnel

Arun Ghosh- Musical Director, Musician, Composer, Performer
Chrys Chijiutomi- Creative Producer (camoci)

Production Information

Running time at full length: 90 -120mins presented (two 45 min/ 60 min sets)

Suitable for all ages

No text

Use of live music

Does not require a clear understanding of English or another language

Touring Information

Scale of show: Small scale (up to 400 seats)
Appropriate setting: Concert Hall/ Theatres/ Festivals - Any arts venue/environment with appropriate facilities for the presentation of live music

Number of people on tour: 8 - 11 (eight to eleven)

Number of performers on stage: 7 - 10 (seven - ten)

Available to tour from September 2011

Suitable for rural touring

Outreach and Educational Work

The ‘Afrocoustics & Indo-vations’ ensemble consists of musicians who are all highly experienced in the delivery of bespoke music workshops & participatory activity to a diverse range of participants.
Differing formats offered include a) practical sessions b) music creation / contextual seminars, c) pre-show access /introduction to instruments etc.
With emphasis on traditional, contemporary and innovative practice, explored from jazz, improvisation, popular & culturally-specific perspectives, educative activity is tailored to be accessible for those with and without music-making experience as required.

Company History

Arun Ghosh is a British-Asian clarinettist & musician, and currently an Associate Artist at The Albany, London with over 10 years of professional performance, touring and collaborative experience.

In 2008, Ghosh was selected for Edition IV of the Jerwood/PRS Foundation/Serious 'Take Five' initiative and also released his debut album ‘Northern Namaste’.

Also an established musical director and composer for theatre, dance, performance & radio, Ghosh’s first work was Storm by Lemn Sissay (Contact Theatre, 2002) and he has since worked on over 40 major productions.

Recent Productions / Tours

Select Highlights

2010 Arun Ghosh Sextet
- Glasgow Jazz, Gateshead International, Aberjazz, Manchester & London Jazz Festivals
- Jazz Sous Les Pommiers, Elbjazz Festival & Kempen

Ensemble
- London Jazz Festival premiere of ‘Afrocoustics & Indo-vations’ (Nov)

2011 Arun Ghosh Quintet
- tour of Kuwait & United Arab Emirates (Feb)
- Eleven date tour of Germany & Austria (March)

April 2011 – Southbank Alchemy Festival (Artist-in-Residence) presenting own compositions ‘A South Asian Suite’ and Arun Ghosh Cine-Concert ‘The Adventures of Prince Achmed’

Reviews

Glasgow International Jazz Festival June 2010

'….music that’s richly harmonic, rhythmically compelling, and genuinely refreshing,'
4 stars, Rob Adams, Herald Scotland.

'An auspicious debut, and definitely a name to watch.' 4 stars, Kenny Mathieson, The
Scotsman

Gateshead International Jazz Festival March 2010

'…the most spirited performance of the weekend…burning modal improvisations…full of Eastern tinges, a marriage made in heaven.' africpepperbird / Jazz Journal

Manchester Jazz Festival July 2010

'thrilling, truth-of-the-moment intensity.' Mike Butler, Dyverse Music