WOMAD

Jaipur Kawa Brass Band

From India

Sound the brass and the drum.
Hailing from a long family lineage of musicians and sharing his life between Jaipur and Paris, Hameed Khan Kawa, a tabla maestro and artistic director of Musafir, has known the sound of the brass band since his birth. In its native place, Rajasthan, the brass band is a feature of life itself. Exposed to different musical styles - jazz, Western traditional music, Indian music - Hameed developed the idea of creating a brass band of his own to present the fantastic sound of the Indian Brass Band. 
He selected the most talented musicians from the best local bands of Rajasthan, with a repertoire blending popular themes from Bollywood films, traditional music of Rajasthan with its distinctive Gypsy sound, and even a touch of Hindustani classical music to create a sound which is individual and unexpected.
With elaborate rhythms and virtuoso improvisations this spectacular group of authentic Rajastanhi gypsies present a wild repertoire, from traditional Indian classics to popular Bollywood movies hits. Drawn from some of India's most renowned brass bands these highly talented musicians always come up with an unexpected and rousing performance, whether on parade in the streets, on a main stage or mingling amongst a crowd.
A rousing musical extravaganza, the soul of the contemporary Indian's feast, - on recognisably Western instruments such as the clarinet, trumpet, trombone, sousaphone, saxophone and tuba and an array of percussion. They come with a beautifully costumed Gypsy Sapera Kalbelya dancer, whose choreography represents the contortions of the cobra- the guardian of spiritual truth- and a genuine fakir, whose sabre swallowing, extreme juggling and stupendous balancing skills have to be seen to be believed.
Performing with an amazing energy and humour both on stage and in a moving parade, the performers in this unique musical feast represent the soul of contemporary India.
(Biography supplied by artist management 2012)

Jaipur Kawa Brass Band- 'Hameed Khan Kawa'

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