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Monsoon is an Indo-Jazz collective that combines elements of creative jazz and traditional Indian classical music into a rich and meaningful cross-cultural expression. Captivating audiences with memorable original compositions that feature exotic Eastern melodies, worldly grooves, and creative improvisations, they create a truly unique musical experience. Monsoon’s synthesis of the deep spirituality and penetrating moods of India’s ragas with the creative and harmonic expression from the West has innovated a fresh approach to Indo-Jazz, bringing Monsoon’s first CD release “Monsoon: Live at the Toronto Indo-Jazz Festival” international acclaim.
Monsoon features some of Canada’s most respected and versatile young musicians who have traveled the globe in search of a multicultural synthesis of musical expression. Spending years in India learning the traditional art of Indian raga music, brothers Jonathan and Andrew Kay weave intricate melodies on saxophone, bansuri (Indian bamboo flute), and other exotic woodwinds, while Justin Gray’s collection of electric and acoustic basses sensitively complement and provide a rich foundation. Tabla virtuoso Ravi Naimpally’s intricate solos highlight India’s complex rhythmic language, which Adam Teixeira assimilates into explosive grooves on the drums and cymbals. Todd Pentney’s keyboards unite each element, sweetening the collective expression and harmonizing Monsoon’s unique compositional style.
Since Monsoon’s creation in 2006, the ensemble has made a large impact on the Canadian and international music scene. Monsoon has been featured in the Toronto International Jazz Festival, the Guelph Jazz Festival, and the Small World Music Festival. They have also been a key element of the Toronto Indo-Jazz Festival, headlining for the past five years. Monsoon has featured several world-renowned guest artists including Indian classical maestro Pandit Shantanu Bhattacharyya, tabla maestro Subhajyoti Guha, dilruba artist & bassist George Koller, New York City’s trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, Toronto-based guitarist Ted Quinlan, and Canada’s own trombone virtuoso Alastair Kay.
With the support of the Ontario Arts Council, Monsoon is currently recording their first full-length studio album, which will be released in the summer of 2014.
Monsoon features some of Canada’s most respected and versatile young musicians who have traveled the globe in search of a multicultural synthesis of musical expression. Spending years in India learning the traditional art of Indian raga music, brothers Jonathan and Andrew Kay weave intricate melodies on saxophone, bansuri (Indian bamboo flute), and other exotic woodwinds, while Justin Gray’s collection of electric and acoustic basses sensitively complement and provide a rich foundation. Tabla virtuoso Ravi Naimpally’s intricate solos highlight India’s complex rhythmic language, which Adam Teixeira assimilates into explosive grooves on the drums and cymbals. Todd Pentney’s keyboards unite each element, sweetening the collective expression and harmonizing Monsoon’s unique compositional style.
Since Monsoon’s creation in 2006, the ensemble has made a large impact on the Canadian and international music scene. Monsoon has been featured in the Toronto International Jazz Festival, the Guelph Jazz Festival, and the Small World Music Festival. They have also been a key element of the Toronto Indo-Jazz Festival, headlining for the past five years. Monsoon has featured several world-renowned guest artists including Indian classical maestro Pandit Shantanu Bhattacharyya, tabla maestro Subhajyoti Guha, dilruba artist & bassist George Koller, New York City’s trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, Toronto-based guitarist Ted Quinlan, and Canada’s own trombone virtuoso Alastair Kay.
With the support of the Ontario Arts Council, Monsoon is currently recording their first full-length studio album, which will be released in the summer of 2014.
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