Neel Murgai Ensemble @ Brooklyn Conservatory April 24, 2010

Brooklyn Conservatory of Music proudly present
Neel Murgai Ensemble
Performing the World Premier of “Reorientation Suite”
Saturday, April 24, 2010, 8pm
“...artfully composed……gorgeous” – Huffington post

Who: NEEL MURGAI ENSEMBLE feat: Neel Murgai (sitar) Mat Maneri (viola), Sameer Gupta (tabla), Greg Heffernan (cello)
When: Saturday, April 24, 2010, at 8PM
Where: Brooklyn Conservatory Concert Hall, 58 7th avenue, Brooklyn
(Q/B train to 7th Ave, 2/3 train to Grand Army Plaza)
Cost: $10, tickets to be sold at the door, no advance purchase

Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s Jazz is thrilled to present the highly acclaimed Neel Murgai Ensemble, April 24 at 8pm. Called “artfully composed…gorgeous” by the Huffington Post, NME will bring an intriguing blend of instrumentation that will redefine North Indian classical music.

On the heels of a self titled debut release from Innova Records, the Neel Murgai Ensemble brings their unique sound to the Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music for the world premier of “Reorientation Suite”. This new body of work has been commissioned by the American Composer’s Forum and reflects a new focus to sitarist/composer Neel Murgai’s music. The all star lineup and instrumentation remains the same, with Neel on sitar, Mat Maneri on viola, Sameer Gupta (Marc Kerry’s Focus Trio) on tabla and Greg Heffernan (Paradox Trio) on cello.

Inspired by issues of orientalism and exoticism that pervade the reception of Neel’s work, “Reorientation Suite” deconstructs ‘world’ and ‘ethnic’ music, while hoping to reorient performer and listener alike to a new understanding. This suite of new music draws from raga, minimalism, jazz and experimental music, but is brought to life by the dynamic cross-cultural improvisation that is the ensemble’s signature sound. An experienced composer and performer, Neel has played in venues ranging from the Kennedy center to Late Night with David Letterman. He has worked with Bill T. Jones, Wyclef Jean, Cyndi Lauper, Samir Chatterjee, Tobias Gebb, Loren Conners and Louis Belogenis amongst many others, and has composed music for the feature films, “The Yes Men Fix the World” and “A Decent Arrangement”.

Underwritten by the American Composer’s Forum with funds provided by the Jerome Foundation.

www.neelmurgai.com

About the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music

The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music has been serving the community for over a century promoting individual, professional and community growth through music, and making music accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels. One of the ways we fulfill our mission is by holding remarkable live music events at affordable prices. Our commitment to the community and our world-class faculty makes these events a reality.

Please join us for what promises to be an unforgettable Jazz at the Conservatory concert event, and check out the Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music’s other great concerts, programs, classes and much more at www.BQCM.org