| Shaila Music/Mantram Records is launching the first releases of this new label, "Esoteric Music", with a series of live performances in the Los Angeles area entitled the "Unity in Diversity" tour. Featuring Radha Botofasina and Slawomir Kulpowicz, the band includes an international array of musicians as well as dancers from both the classical Indian tradition and a tap dancer for a performance which brings world music with a new twist to venues across the Southland. Performances are planned for a variety of venues including schools and prisons as well as other more traditional music venues.
Players include Vibhav Pathak, a tabla player whose credits include his work with Lakshmi Shankar. Dinshah Sanjana ,on percussion and keyboards is a pioneer of jazz fusion in India. Brian Auger a keyboardist of considerable note and the leader of the legendary Oblivion Express brings an energetic contribution to the live performances, as does his son Karma Auger on drums.
Shyam Reyes, a baritone and a native of the Philippines, sings from his heart and amazes audiences with his voice. Shivani Womack and Shradda Devi Antero are the young and talented background singers.
Rounding out the program are the Trilokyum Dancers performing Bharata Natyam, a style of Indian dance. The performers are Krishni Myers, Ayodhya Jones and Gopika Womack Freeman. Also dancing is twelve year old tap/ hip-hop dancer Jarrad Jackson.
Performers within the Mantram band change from venue to venue, depending on musician availability. The policy of the band is an open one--that is, whenever a musician may be visiting from another country or city and may want to join the band in live performance, they are most welcome to do so. This is in the tradition of avant-garde/indigenous music. Throughout the decades, the music was passed from one musician to another, in a very multifaceted way. That way was: orally, written and through apprenticeship. Young aspiring musicians could accompany the older established musician of their choice, to any venue that the musician was performing at. The young musician would only sit and listen, absorbed in a musically osmotic way; inspired by the live music being played.
In the 21st century, there are colleges and universities that emulate this avant-garde tradition. The Mantram Band is keeping the tradition alive and well by giving young artists a chance to hone their craft in concert performances. |
