RUNDOWN
18:30: Registration
19:00: Program Starts
20:15: Program Ends

ASHK Members/Friends of IBB/Students Ticket: HKD 350
Non-Member Ticket: HKD 380

Saxophonist George Brooks and pianist Utsav Lal create dynamic new music drawing on the traditions of Indian classical music and American jazz, infused with the aesthetics of contemporary minimalism. This evening’s performance will feature composed and improvised material, derived from the traditional ragas (modes) and taals (rhythms) of Indian classical music. Brooks and Lal embark on a journey of musical fusion, weaving improvisation with tradition to create a musical tapestry that transcends borders.

Brooks and Lal will be joined by special guests Yeung Ching Ho Grammy and Jorge Ramiro to enhance their music with the unique sounds of the guzheng and the tabla.

George Brooks is an award-winning saxophonist and composer renowned for bridging jazz and Indian classical music. He founded influential Indian fusion groups, including ‘Summit’ with Zakir Hussain, ‘Bombay Jazz’ with Ronu Majumdar and Larry Coryell, ‘Raga Bop Trio’ with Steve Smith and Prasanna, ‘Kirwani Quartet’ with Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia and ‘Elements’ with Kala Ramnath and Gwyneth Wentink. Brooks began his jazz studies with Count Basie saxophonist Frank Foster and continued at the New England Conservatory with George Russell, Joe Allard, and Jaki Byard. His journey took him to India, where he studied Indian classical music with Pandit Pran Nath. His albums are considered groundbreaking in the fusion of jazz and Indian classical music.

Utsav Lal, an Indian pianist and composer known as the ‘Raga Pianist,’ is celebrated for his innovative fusion of Indian classical music with western piano. The Irish Times describes him as “a fleet-fingered performer whose best moments are both evocative and dazzling.” With a career spanning two decades, Lal blends ancient tradition with innovation, creating music renowned for its sincerity, depth and intensity. Influenced by Dhrupad music and artists like The Necks and Thelonious Monk, he has developed a unique voice for the piano, challenging conventional improvisation techniques.

Yeung Ching Ho Grammy holds a Master of Music degree in guzheng from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and a music degree from the University of Hong Kong. She received the Rayson Huang Scholarship in Music from 2017 to 2019 and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund scholarship from 2019 to 2021.

Jorge Ramiro, a disciple of Pandit Samir Chatterjee, one of India's most influential tabla players, has been studying the tabla and classical Indian music since the age of 19. He has performed in classical Indian music concerts in India, the United States, Mexico, France, Australia and Hong Kong.

*Moderators and speakers are subject to change

About India by the Bay:
India by the Bay is Hong Kong’s only annual, week-long celebration of Indian arts, culture and heritage. Each year, the festival brings the soul of India and its unique diversity to the city’s shores, with a curation featuring music, dance, theatre, cinema, literature, wellness, fashion and food. For nearly a decade, India by the Bay has served as a cultural bridge – engaging and entertaining the people of Hong Kong and fostering conversations and collaborations. The festival is co-presented by Teamwork Arts and the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. In its 9th edition, India by the Bay is reaffirming its commitment to exploring the arts as a powerful conduit for connection.

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The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and participants and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, do not reflect the opinion, position or official policy of Asia Society Hong Kong, its members, or its committees. Asia Society Hong Kong does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for the content of the information presented