Natraj

Natraj seamlessly melds the classical music of India, traditional music from West Africa, and contemporary jazz to create its own unique and infectious style. Hard-driving African grooves and graceful Indian ragas meet in the band’s expansive jazz conception. Natraj has delighted listeners throughout the US, Canada, India, and West Africa since 1987, appearing on major festival and concert stages. Natraj has performed with Kadri Gopalnath, Chitravina N. Ravikiran, Steve Gorn, V. K. Raman, Sriram Parasuram, and Prasanna. Natraj features Phil Scarff, soprano saxophone; ECM recording artist Mat Maneri, viola; Michael Rivard, bass; Jerry Leake, tabla and multipercussion; and Bertram Lehmann, drums and percussion. "A seamless blend of jazz and Indian music … delightfully unconventional." — Jazziz. "We heard the future of jazz... we heard the future of world music... a spellbinding tapestry... a jazz hybrid of celebration and reflection." — The Times of India.