Artist
Canada
Influences:
India
, Asian
, North American
Genres:
world music,
tabla,
worldbeat,
indian music
BLOGS
In "Maryem's Here" the Taiko, Tabla, Violin, Kathak dance and Vocals each represent one of these elements and how they interact with each other.
This music video was produced during the pandemic with artists in Canada and USA, for the album Unexpected Guests
Produced by Taal Productions and Carillon Audiovisuals
Composed by Ritesh Das and Nagata Shachu
Directed by Melissa Das-Arp
Starring:
Aki Takahashi
Tony Nguyen
Shamir Panchal
Razak Pirani
Raaginder Singh Momi
Labonee Mohanta
Maryem Hassan Tollar
Cinematography:
Kiyoshi Nagata
Ragini Kaur
Rama K Sivamani
Ernie Tollar
Shamir Panchal
Razak Pirani
Edited by Melissa Das-Arp and Harry W Arp
Mixed and Mastered by Gary Honess at Kuhl Muzik
Production Coordinators:
Alysha Addetia
Olga Apanaskevich
Thank you to FACTOR more
Composing/Composer and Sound Editing/Mixing!
Congrats to all the artists who worked so hard on this album and all the other artists from around the world!
http://www.globalmusicawards.com more
Across the release’s seven tracks, the critically acclaimed group of artists weave a variety of instruments, from percussion to bagpipe, piano to taiko, sarod to flute, and more, with their signature sound rooted by the traditional tabla.
“This album is a simple one,” TTE Founder and Artistic Director and Roy Thomson Hall Award winner Ritesh Das says. ”Most of the tracks are in very straightforward 4/4 grooves. On our other albums, you had tracks with different time signatures that made it really intellectual and complicated.
“I wanted this one to be something that anyone can sit back and listen to and enjoy.”
Along with delivering the most approachable songs in their vast repertoire, Unexpected Guests is their latest in a series of boldly collaborative and sonically expansive works. In keeping with its eye-opener title, the immersive and diverse album finds Das and the TTE hosting a party of musical visitors: Enter The Haggis bagpipe player Craig Downie, Japanese Taiko Ensemble Nagata Shachu, singer Maryem Hassan Tollar, violinist Raaginder Singh Momi, flautist Alysha Addetia and more. more
PHOTOS
ABOUT
Since 1991, Toronto Tabla Ensemble has mesmerized audiences using the rhythms and grooves of North India to collaborate with music and dance from around the world. Known for its modern, high-energy approach, TTE’s repertoire has brought audiences to the edge of their seats by showcasing the complexity of pure traditional tabla augmented by South Indian percussion, Japanese taiko, and kathak dance to create a high energy stage presence.
TTE’s signature has always been collaboration. Their past works have brought tabla together with Flamenco, Jazz, Rock n Roll, Afro-Caribbean drumming, and several other genres. This level of musical exchange has allowed TTE members and audiences to learn about other cultures and brings together broad communities of people. The scope of this exchange is easy to see at TTE concerts and on each of the albums.
The Ensemble has released six original studio albums and continues to work on releasing more. Their music has been recognized in Canada and abroad. They were nominated for a JUNO Award for their album Firedance and their compositions have been licensed for commercials, films, and as the theme music for CBC Radio’s daily Metro Morning. Their recent album Bhumika landed artistic director Ritesh Das a Global Music Award for Outstanding Achievement in composition and the Ensemble the Independent Music Award for Best World Traditional Song.
As TTE continues on its performance and recording journey it will continue to benefit from government and foundation grants as well as the generosity of private and corporate donors intent on increasing the Ensemble’s footprint of quality artistic creation and cultural exchange.
Toronto Tabla Youth Ensemble
Recently debuted in 2017, Toronto Tabla Youth Ensemble (TTYE) was established with the aim of becoming one of the elite pre-professional training and performance groups for youth percussionists aged 8-16. TTYE uses tabla and percussion instruments from around the world to create an electrifying contemporary listening experience. Apprentices and members are hand selected from the TTE school and attend weekly training and rehearsal sessions led by artistic director Ritesh Das and senior Ensemble members. The trainees have the opportunity to participate in retreats and workshops with musicians and dancers of other genres taking part in a collaborative creation process.
TTYE has gained a following in the community through performances at local festivals, fundraisers, and private events. They will feature in two self-presented concerts per year where they will lead the performance for an entire evening. TTYE has featured in films produced by Melissa Das-Arp and Taal Productions, including Dream Symposium. They are currently preparing for their first studio recording and will release an EP in the coming year.
TTE’s signature has always been collaboration. Their past works have brought tabla together with Flamenco, Jazz, Rock n Roll, Afro-Caribbean drumming, and several other genres. This level of musical exchange has allowed TTE members and audiences to learn about other cultures and brings together broad communities of people. The scope of this exchange is easy to see at TTE concerts and on each of the albums.
The Ensemble has released six original studio albums and continues to work on releasing more. Their music has been recognized in Canada and abroad. They were nominated for a JUNO Award for their album Firedance and their compositions have been licensed for commercials, films, and as the theme music for CBC Radio’s daily Metro Morning. Their recent album Bhumika landed artistic director Ritesh Das a Global Music Award for Outstanding Achievement in composition and the Ensemble the Independent Music Award for Best World Traditional Song.
As TTE continues on its performance and recording journey it will continue to benefit from government and foundation grants as well as the generosity of private and corporate donors intent on increasing the Ensemble’s footprint of quality artistic creation and cultural exchange.
Toronto Tabla Youth Ensemble
Recently debuted in 2017, Toronto Tabla Youth Ensemble (TTYE) was established with the aim of becoming one of the elite pre-professional training and performance groups for youth percussionists aged 8-16. TTYE uses tabla and percussion instruments from around the world to create an electrifying contemporary listening experience. Apprentices and members are hand selected from the TTE school and attend weekly training and rehearsal sessions led by artistic director Ritesh Das and senior Ensemble members. The trainees have the opportunity to participate in retreats and workshops with musicians and dancers of other genres taking part in a collaborative creation process.
TTYE has gained a following in the community through performances at local festivals, fundraisers, and private events. They will feature in two self-presented concerts per year where they will lead the performance for an entire evening. TTYE has featured in films produced by Melissa Das-Arp and Taal Productions, including Dream Symposium. They are currently preparing for their first studio recording and will release an EP in the coming year.