Piano & Sarod

In 2013 the Arts Foundation of the German state North-Rhine Westphalia chose Jarry Singla for a six-month residency in the twelve-million-metropolis Mumbai. Inspired by this extraordinary opportunity, the Indo-German pianist and composer searched intensively for like-minded musical partners and met Pratik Shrivastav, one of the most creative Hindustani sarod players. His playing on the Indian long-necked lute fascinated Jarry from the very beginning. Inspired by the artistic glissandi and the deep, introspective sound, compositions came into being that were influenced both by the variety of Indian music and all kinds of European soundscapes.

The results of the fruitful cooperation were first presented by Jarry Singla’s sextet “The Mumbai Project” during tours in India and North Rhine-Westphalia, later with the renowned Frankfurt Radio Bigband (HR). Currently Pratik and Jarry also work in a duo format. Some of their duo pieces can be heard on the JARRY SINGLA EASTERN FLOWERS album CONFLUENCE.

Two musicians with Indian roots searching for a path beyond all dogmas, for a fresh, subtle and exciting sound. Two musicians embarking on a musical journey, entering into challenging dialogues, opening up and expanding their common languages. Two musicians merging Occident and Orient, secular and spiritual orientation, instrumental passion and meditative contemplation. Two musicians letting their improvisations flow into each other like delicate clouds: Contemporary Indo-European Music.

It is highly fascinating how Jarry Singla allows his piano to interact with the sarod of Pratik Shrivastav. […] On the album “Confluence” he takes classical Indian raga patterns as a starting point and merges them with the supposedly foreign harmonies and rhythms of jazz. The result is exhilarating minimal suites.

(KulturTIPP Switzerland)

Jarry Singla – piano, Indian harmonium, composition, arrangements
Pratik Shrivastav – sarod, compositions, arrangements