Blending jazz with a classical Indian Carnatic style, this is a very unique sound that you won't want to miss.
Check out www.prasantmusic.com for bios and sound samples.
The Jazz House presents
Free-Jazz Fridays
1510 8th Street Performance Space
1510 8th Street, Oakland, CA
Only one exit from SF, and one block from the BART station.
Google Map:
http://www.google.com/maps?q=1510+8th+St,+Oakland,+CA+94607,+USA&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=37.816565,-122.294741&spn=0.033631,0.075274&z=14
$5 - $15 Sliding Scale
(meaning you can pay what your budget allows between $5 & 15; “free-jazz” is a type of jazz.)
www.thejazzhouse.com
Prasant Radhakrishnan is a versatile saxophonist identified with both the South Indian Classical (Carnatic) and Jazz disciplines. He received initial training from veena vidwan, Mrs. Vijaya Prabhakar. Prasant started learning Carnatic music on saxophone under the able guidance of his guru, "Padmashri" Kadri Gopalnath, in 1996. He underwent rigorous training during summers in India, and soon began accompanying his guru in concerts and performing solo.
Since then, Prasant has given numerous solo concerts internationally, including regular concerts at the Chennai December music season in leading sabha organizations. His two albums, Swara Sudha and Duality, have received critical acclaim and wide appreciation from listeners. Prasant has accompanied his guru in over 200 concerts within India and in the US, putting him in the company of not only Sri Kadri Gopalnath, but also with several of the most senior accompanying artists in the field of Carnatic music.
Not limited by genres, Prasant has also been greatly influenced by the Jazz tradition. As a musical mind trained in two traditions, Prasant recently founded VidyA, a group that combines the traditions of Carnatic music and Jazz. Already creating a buzz in the San Francisco Bay area, Vidya will be the liason between the Jazz and Indian classical music world, and a vehicle to introduce these traditions to new listeners.
With a bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California, Prasant continues to draw on his diverse background to contribute to his music. Just after arriving from the summer Freeman Fellowship in Tokyo, Japan, Prasant was awarded the prestigious Senior Performing and Creative Arts Fellowship by the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS). From June 2004-March 2005, as an AIIS senior fellow, Prasant undertook deeper study of Carnatic music and theory under several famous Carnatic music masters while innovating new saxophone techniques and traveling all over India giving concerts and lecture demonstrations. Prasant's new CD, Duality is a reflection of his work during the fellowship and he hopes to utilize his performing and teaching approaches to benefit enthusiasts and newcomers all over the world.
As part of an ongoing goal, Prasant strives to put to rest misconceptions and preconceived notions about Carnatic music and jazz as well as the use of saxophone in Carnatic music. Through his continued study of tradition, constant innovation and performance on the saxophone, Prasant is creating a new path for the future of Carnatic music and Jazz.
Cost: 5 - 15 sliding scale