Shades of Shakti have two events at the Mayfair:
DAYTIME WORKSHOP and an evening CONCERT
For tickets, please visit: https://www.themayfair.org.nz/events
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About the workshop:
Introducing Indian melodies and rhythms, the workshop will be a fun and interactive event for musicians and non-musicians alike, young, old and everyone in between. The ensemble features a cast that are not only incredible musicians but also experienced educators who have taught music workshops all over the world. The workshop will conclude with a short performance.
Workshop members who have brought instruments will have the opportunity to learn a small composition to accompany the singers.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
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About Shades of Shakti:
Shades of Shakti are an intercultural group of musicians bridging the gap between traditional Indian music and Jazz. Featuring musicians from both New Zealand and India, Shades of Shakti includes Sangeet Mishra, Justin Firefly Clarke, Basant Madhur, Tristan Carter and Thomas Friggens. This collective presents an impressive repertoire of music including original compositions and traditional India Ragas. Alongside this, Shades of Shakti feature music from both Ravi Shankar's East Meets West album and John McLaughlin's famous group Shakti, from which the group drew initial inspiration. Since their debut at the Wellington Jazz Festival in 2018, Shades of Shakti have captivated audiences across New Zealand, including a standing ovation they received from a full house at the 2020 New Zealand Festival of the Arts. They secured a slot at renowned world music festival Womad in 2022 and are embarking on their third tour in July 2023. Their performance is simply mesmerising in the way it explores the delicate balance between improvisation and composition, combining energetic melodies, virtuosic rhythms, and hypnotic sonorities. Their collaboration aims to bring communities together and celebrate human diversity through music.
The ultimate blend of authenticity and virtuosity. Their musicianship is second to none - an eclectic mix of acoustic instruments.”
Chris Gee (Black Seeds, Fly My Pretties, Anika Moa)
“Bringing together musical influences from different sides of the world to create something fresh and unique and reinforce the notion that music knows no borders... One of those rare ensembles that transcend into the sonic stratosphere
Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords)
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The musicians of the ensemble are:
Sangeet Mishra (India) comes from a long line of sarangi masters from India’s holiest city, Varanasi. Considered a child prodigy, Sangeet has endeavoured to revive ancient musical styles. An innovative musician, Sangeet plays sarangi with an enchanting purity.
Justin Firefly Clarke (NZ) is a respected guitar virtuoso of many stripes. Seven years in Berlin saw Justin gain repute as a lynchpin for fusing different musical languages, winning numerous awards for these collaborations in festivals across Europe.
Basant Madhur (India) is a much-respected artist of classical Indian music. Born into a family of musicians, he is an approved Indian Radio & Television performing artist. He moved to New Zealand in 2002.
Tristan Carter (NZ) is an extremely talented and versatile violinist who has worked with Atlas Ensemble in Amsterdam and traditional musicians in Bangalore, and many jazz and new music ensembles of Aotearoa.
Thomas Friggens (NZ) is a powerful and virtuoso drummer who straddles multiple musical worlds effortlessly and has been an integral member of the premier percussion group, Strike, as well as Sulco D'Alma and Bazurka
