WOMAD

Dr Joel

From India

Dr. Joel is an Indian master musician who specializes in "konnakol" vocal percussion. "Konnakol" is the Carnatic (south Indian classical) method of vocalizing rhythms.. Large-scale audience participation, by even thousands of people at once, is usual at live performances: giving a festive atmosphere. "Konnakol" was described by guitarist John "Mahavishnu" McLaughlin as "the most simple and yet most sophisticated system of rhythmic comprehension in the world. If you can understand konnakol you can understand any rhythm from any country on the planet." Dr Joel's konnakol students have ranged from professional musicians, such as Sheila Chandra, to beginners and even toddlers. No previous experience is required to start konnakol with Dr Joel's well-structured approach, based on the teaching methods of India's top rhythm academy - the Sri JGTV Academy in Chennai.Recently, Dr Joel led a 20-date UK tour together with Selvaganesh, percussionist with John McLaughlin's "Remember Shakti" group. They reached about 15,000 people with performances plus workshops in "konnakol" vocal percussion and several hundred thousand more people through prime breakfast-time radio performances on BBC radio stations. Dr. Joel also leads the trio JG Laya featuring Subash Chandran - "king of konnakol" - and Vikku Vinayakram, who won a Grammy for his Planet Drum album with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. Dr. Joel's performance groups have played in major venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall (South Bank Centre, London), Putra World Trade Centre (Kuala Lumpur), Madras Music Academy (Chennai), National Centre for Performing Arts (Bombay); at international festivals including Jazz Yatra (Delhi, Bombay), Dartington International, Wychwood etc; on UK radio (BBC stations Bristol, Leeds, Sheffield, Leicester etc.) and on television (Channel 4, BBC, Doordarshan - India, Astro Vaanavil - Malaysia & more).Dr. Joel is also an accomplished lyricist, composer, songwriter and instrumentalist. The classical viola star Rivka Golani has recently invited Dr. Joel to compose a concerto for viola and konnakol with western orchestra.What critics write about Dr Joel:"Jaw dropping display. Has all the makings of a cult star". (Venue magazine, Bristol)"On a scale of one to ten ... eleven" (The Daily, Bombay)"Flabbergasting" (Downbeat, USA)What musicians write:"Dig yo' stuff!"(Bic Runga, songwriter, New Zealand)"The hit of the festival, for me"(Larry Coryell, jazz legend, USA)"You are fantastic. I have never heard anything like it!" (Judie Tzuke, songwriter, London)What audience members write:"Dr Joel stole my soul! For the love of all that is holy please oh please look up Dr Joel. He will blow your socks off and change they way you listen to music forever!!! Guaranteed"(Jack, Bath) "saw this guy called Dr Joel who was totally mega-awesome"(Max, Bristol)"You're AMAZING!! I love your songs, i wanna marry them!"(Charlotte, Kent)