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THE ASIAN  MUSIC CIRCUIT BRING YOU A WORLD CLASS PRODUCTION IN CONTEMPORARY VOCAL MUSIC

Three great traditions from the world of music come together through three fantastic singers. The PASSION, EMOTIONS and SPIRITUALITY of the three styles of singing all meet in this unique and exciting collaboration. What do they have in common? Great voices, tremendous sense of spontaneity, improvisation and creativity, huge musical talent &endash; perhaps even a shared common background in the origins of their respective styles. In India, "thumri"  singers  sing about love and separation , and the longing for ones lover (who could also be God as so many lyrics are about the Hindu deity  KRISHNA) THUMRI as a vocal tradition is best performed in an intimate " music room" setting. The pain and longing that gave rise to "jazz" was also indicative of separation, loneliness, love and all related emotions that go to make up this great music. The dynamic rendition blended with  fine lyrical phrases are a major part of the music of the Manding court tradition of Mali.The tradition of story telling is common to all three styles in which the music enhances the meanings of the words. The artists have created an excellent repertoire of new work to be performed as a group.

And the artists are . . .

JULIET ROBERTS UK jazz vocalist One of the most powerful voices in contemporary British music

BABANI KONE  The rising star from Mali

SWATI NATEKAR  India/UK vocalist From a long standing family tradition of music in India.

 The deep emotions of Jazz, the alluring passions of Malian music and the intense spirituality of Indian classical music are united in this unique collaboration between three female vocalists: Juliet Roberts (UK), Babani Kone (Mali) and Swati Natekar (India). The three vocal traditions are linked through the theme of storytelling as each genre depicts tales of betrayal, love, and conflict. The vocalists are joined by accompanying musicians from each of the three traditions including kora, sarangi, tabla, bass, piano and drum kit.   

 Juliet Roberts:   http://www.julietroberts.com has supported artists such as Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Gary Moore, Chaka Khan, Courtney Pine, presented Channel 4's Solid Soul ,teamed up with Dancin Danny D and released a string of Top 20 hits including Caught in the Middle, worked with David Morales on their number 11 hit Needing U 2 and delivered the critical acclaimed second album Beneath Surface

Babani Kone is a superstar in Mali and a member of a Griot family from Segou, Mali. In the past this was the centre of the mighty Barmbara kingdom and many feel that artists from Segou represents the most classical music tradition in Mali. In 1984 Babani Kone won first prize at a music festival in Segou.  She later began to study with the famous female vocalist, Fanta Damba.  Babani has recorded several cassettes for the home market and is a very popular singer in Mali.  The cassette version of the album "Sanou Djali" was one of the most sold in Mali in 1997.

Swati Natekar is one of  the worlds leading classical Indian vocalists and has performed with a number of high profile misicals such as Zakhir Hussain, James Asher, Kiki Dee, Mitin Sawhney, Craig Armstrong.

Tour dates:

24 October 2006.    Queen Elizabeth Hall, SBC, London 08703 800400   www.rfh.org.uk

25 October 2006. Strathclyde Suite, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 0141 353 8000  www.grch.com

27 October 2006.  National Centre for Early Music, York 01904 658338  www.ncem.co.uk

1st November 2006. Lakeside Theatre, Nottingham, 0115 846 7777 www.lakesidearts.org.uk

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