Broto Roy Live Tabla: Total Immersion - At the Kennedy Center [Live]

Broto Roy Live Tabla: Total Immersion - At the Kennedy Center [Live]

Track Listings

1. The Legacy Endures, the Journey Continues

2. Total Immersion

3. Restless Traveller

4. Raga Charukeshi

5. Love Song, Tell Me Everything

6. Tabla Solo

7. Letter to Teresa

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Percussionist and composer Broto Roy’s latest CD “American Raga” was described as communicating “..on both a spiritual and visceral level” The Washington Post, July 3, 1998. In the previous year, he was described as performing “… challenging solos” at the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian by the Washington Post, June 8, 1998. Calcutta born, and based in Washington DC, Broto composes from a multicultural background. Among the younger generation of Indian percussionists Broto’s performances have been acclaimed throughout India, North America and Europe. Born into a family of musicians, Broto Roy began his musical studies from the age of four and grew up in the city of Calcutta, India. From his teacher, Bidyut Banerjee, he learned the tradition of the Punjab School of Ustad Allah Rakah. Bidyut Banerjee was one of Allah Rakah’s first students. After completing his musical studies in India, he began to blend Eastern and Western influences by establishing the East West Quartet in the early ’80’s. Currently, this unique blend inspired by Indian classical music and Jazz is performed by the Broto Roy Ensemble. He has also pursued the traditional classical Indian music with a lot of improvisation and has performed with Ganga, a traditional music group from Bengal since 1979.

Broto has come to public acclaim with his new recording “American Raga” (Buzkhasi). The music on Broto’s new CD “American Raga” is part of a truly new scene emerging, one that owes more to the Tabla and sitar playing of Allah Rakha and Ravi Shankar than to pop or rock. Second generation Americans of mainly India and Pakistani descent are fusing techno, hip-hop and melodic pop with traditional Indian and middle eastern music giving rise to what is being called the Asian Underground. Though interest peaked in the US in the late 60’s following the Beatles’ experimentation with ragas and talas Americans still seem to view Indian music and culture as some sort of mystical experience, but the recent influx of Indian, Pakistani and Arab immigrants has resulted in a wider acceptance of Asian and middle east culture as more Americans gain first hand knowledge of them. In past interviews Broto explains that he grew up listening not only to his native music but also to Madonna and U2, making the point that he is trying to make music straddling both worlds where rhythms and beats are equally important to the lyrics, trying to communicate the experience of living between two very different cultures, the conflict of searching for a niche in the western world while maintaining his native cultural identity.

Broto Roy has won two National Endowment for the Arts grants, the first was an Apprentice Fellowship to teach tabla in 1986 and the second for individual artistry. In 1999 he was nominated for two WAMA awards: one for Best Instrumentalist and one for Best Recording in World Music. He was also awarded two Washington, DC Commission for the Arts grants: the first in 1992 to teach; and the second, an outstanding Individual Artist Grant in 1993. Also, the Smithsonian Institution of Washington, DC has awarded him Certificates of Appreciation, in 1985 and 1993. Broto has taught at the Levine School of Music, Washington, DC and has composed music for several ensembles. He holds a B.A. from the College of William & Mary, USA.

Broto Roy Live Tabla: Total Immersion - At the Kennedy Center,Broto Roy

Jazz Music: Broto Roy Live Tabla: Total Immersion - At the Kennedy Center [Live]

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