Press release:
After a long hiatus, world music fusion group Shantavaani is making a much-anticipated return to the White Horse Black Mountain stage on Saturday, June 17 at 8 p.m. for a special evening of music that moves the body, mind, and soul. Original members Adithi Seti and Jay Brown, both Black Mountain residents, will be joined by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Chris Rosser and tabla player Nitin Phatak for this special show.
Shantavaani (the name means “Peace through music in Sanskrit) is rooted in ancient Indian music, but ever since the first lineup came together in 2009 the members have pulled from their individual backgrounds to create a sound that combines Indian and Western instruments and influences. The result is music that can induce both movement and meditation. Attuned listeners will hear threads of Indian bhajans, raga and shabads interacting with jazz, classical, Americana, blues, folk and reggae streams as Shantavaani creates its original convergence of traditions.
Jay Brown is a busy regional performer, playing and singing as a solo act as well as with The Lazybirds, Swing Guitars and his newest project, The Appalucians. He plays several instruments remarkably well, but it’s his slide guitar work that takes center stage with Shantavaani. Adithi Seti is also part of The Appalucians, but long before the launch of that group she was lending her Indian-trained vocals to Shantavaani, along with her harmonium and Irish harp talents.
Special guest Chris Rosser is everywhere on the Asheville music scene, and his deep knowledge of both South Asian and American music, often on display with Free Planet Radio, makes him a valuable addition to the Shantavaani world. He’s equally adept on keyboards, guitar, vocals, oud, and the Indian dotar and sarod. When not performing he has a thriving carrier as a recording engineer and producer at his own Hollow Reed Studios.
The tabla, a set of paired Indian hand drums, require many years of study to master and are central to the structure and sound of North Indian classical music. Over the past twenty years Nitin Phatak has accompanied top Hindustani singers and instrumentalists, becoming one of the the most versatile tabla players on the U.S. scene. He currently lives in Charlotte.
Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 advance/$15 door.
Advance tickets available online at
http://www.whitehorseblackmountain.com
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