WOMAD

Talvin Singh

From India, United Kingdom

Biography supplied by management, March 2004:Talvin Singh was born in London in the early 1970’s; as a young boy he was inspired to play tabla on his grandmother’s knees upon hearing the great Masters on the TV or early recordings. It was a diverse appreciation for music that inspired the young boy to seriously consider training in Tabla at a young age.At 15 after sitting early examinations, the eager student was initiated to become a disciple of the great musician and academic Us. Lachman Singh Seen of Punjab, India. After initially spending 3 years learning he returned to London with his instrument and traditions of the famous Punjab Gharana. His relationship with Guruji, his musical master, is one in the true Guru-Shishya tradition. Early in his career he worked with seminal artists Sun Ra, Suzie and the Banshees and über group Massive Attack. Still only 18 the artist embarked on a tour to Russia and Eastern Europe with renowned saxophonist Courtney Pine. Singh closely collaborated with Bjork, on her Debut (1995) album and subsequent World Tour. Madonna engaged the artist for both her Ray of Light (WEA, 1998) and Music (WEA, 2001) albums. At the tender age of 23 he created his own record label Omni and concept album Calcutta Cyber Café (OMNI, 1995) (Limited release) which led to his club night Anokha. In Hoxton Square’s eponymous Blue Note, Anokha hosted his early experiments with his self-invented Tabla-tronics instrument and software. New acts such as The Asian Dud Foundation, Joi and The State of Bengal were presented as well as the music of A.R Rehman being introduced to a western audience for the first time. He conceived and licensed a compilation album, Anokha soundz of Asian underground (Island 1996) on his Omni label. The highly evolved melody and complex rhythmic intensity of Indian Classical music meeting the technology and gritty electronica in Jungle began a music sub-genre, a sound of [the] Asian underground.Island records awarded Singh a worldwide recording deal. His debutsolo album OK (Island 1999) won the celebrated Mercury Music Prizefor Popular Music and South Bank Prize for Popular music in 1999. OK was recorded with over 30 musicians across 3 continents. The artist presented a single live show in the Barbican Centre, London. On stage performing included pianist Ruichi Sakamoto, sarangi maestro, Us. Sultan Khan, vocalist Cleveland Watkiss trumpeter Byron Wallen, bassist Bill Laswell amongst talented others. OK was hailed a rare achievement in modern electronic music, its sophistication and depth making it an instant classic. His composition Butterfly (OK, 1999) was selected to celebrate midnight at the Millennium Dome, London (1999); attended by Prime minister Tony Blair and other dignitaries, the moment is an icon of its time.In 2000 the celebrated producer released his second solo album, HA (Island 2000). In the same year he presented his first Tabla Solo World Tour, Untouched. He composed the title music for BBC ‘s Tomorrows World programme broadcast world-wide for the next 5 years. In 2001 the artist embarked on a European Tour with his Band, performing music from Anokha, OK and HA. In autumn the artist presented a composition at the Electronik festival at the Barbican Centre, London. The festival included his contemporaries William Orbit, Craig Armstrong & Aphex Twin, Richard D. James; to commemorate the achievements of theorist and composer Karl Heinz Stockhausen.In spring 2002 Singh recorded his first Indian Classical Tabla Solo album due for release in 2003. The artist continues to perform a Punjab Gharana Tabla repertoire also experimenting with technology and music for a diverse range of musical presentations and festivals internationally.In early 2003 he is composing a Motion Picture Soundtrack for film maker Deepa Mehta as well as composing a piece for a Vocal Choir and Orchestra intended for presentation at the Festival de St. Denis, Paris2004 will see the start of his own label Chilly recordings, where 3 new releases are planned. He will perform with various line-ups, which will include his solo tour with Nirantar Music , festival dates with a full line-up, performing “Songs of the inner World” and with his electronic project, “Tabtek”.