MP3 Broto Roy - American Raga

The complex rhythm seems to flow in and out of improvisations that can have the swing and fire of Bird one moment or the discipline of Ravi Shankar the next. Truly original

7 MP3 Songs
WORLD: World Fusion, JAZZ: Jazz Fusion



Details:
Broto Roy was born into a highly musical family in Calcutta, India where his great- grandfather Rajanikanto was one of India's greatest songwriters and his uncle Dilip Roy is a popular singing star and constant influence. He began to play and learn Indian music from the age of six from noted Tabla master Bidyut Banerjee. Eventually, Broto traveled to America at the age of sixteen and joined up with guitarist Sanjay Mishra for eight years releasing the CD "The Crossing" which has sold extensively. In 1998 Broto started performing at festivals with his own group finally being able to present his own compositions on the debut album "American Raga" which many musicians claim as an important influence. After three more years with tours across the world Broto released "Total Immersion - Live at the Kennedy Center". Beginning in summer 2001 Broto toured his own trio in support of the CD and audiences were enthralled by linking subtle Indian rhythms and Indian singing with elements of modern jazz and rock. The following band was expanded to a quartet and touring extended to include a US coast-to-coast tour and 20-plus European shows. In between a schedule of group performances he has appeared at a number of prestigious solo percussion recitals and guest performances on CDs by Sitarists Krishna Bhatt and Subrata Roy Chowdhuri, Sarodist Aashish Khan, guitarists Paul Bollenback, Sanjay Mishra, Joey DeFrancesco - organ, Ron Holloway - sax, Grateful Dead member Bob Weir in April '03 and many others. Broto has been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and was nominated twice for the Wammie awards. Another distinction in May of 2001 space tourist Dennis Tito played Broto's first CD "American Raga" aboard the International Space Station.