AkashA, a global music project @ The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac), Jalan Strachan, Off Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur

Into AkashA….a compilation of diverse genres of music, woven together with a the magical thread of acoustic ethnic instruments from around the globe. Sitar with guitar, tabla with djembe, mridangam played to bass guitar, jazz piano, Indian Raga style. Irish Riverdance with a hint of American blues, Indian ‘konnukol’ or voice percussion laid on a Spanish plateau…..the connection and seamless bonding of Eastern and Western instruments and world genres presents itself in this thrilling album, taking the listener deep into a sublime environment of musical bliss…deep into AkashA.

The 90 min extravaganza, excluding an interval, will begin with AkashA’s opening concoction of Bourbon Lassi… Indian vocal percussions from the North and South open the doors to this lively number of Irish Riverdance on to blues, finishing with a flourish of all this artistry mixed together. Other exciting numbers from the album which will be presented are Ants in my Turban, with its hint of a Russian march, Damascus, presenting the exotic rhythms of the long ago Persian era; the bossanova, Indian style, in Bombay Bossanova, and not – so – classic American blues on the sitar, in Brickfields Blues. Also listen out for the Indian Vocal percussions taking a strange twist in Kunna Cool.

AkashA is represented by Jamie Wilson (compositions, guitar, gambus, vocals), Sivabalan Shanmuga Sundram (mridangam, ganjira, vocal percussions), Greg Henderson (bass guitar), Kumar Karthigesu (sitar, dilruba), Vick Ramakrishnan (tabla, vocal percussions), Badar Ben Taleb (world percussions, vocals), and featuring guest artist Eric Li (piano).

Audiences can look forward to the live, improvised interplay between the artists, which will vary greatly from the track recordings, with spontaneity exploding as the enthusiasm of the audience builds! AkashA will also perform a number of tracks not included in the CD, as well as cover versions of popular classics, blues and jazz numbers. An exciting feature will be a number of Malaysian stars among the audience, who may be called up to join the band for a track or two!! Who are they?? Come and find out!!
Audiences also enjoy a free ‘into AkashA’ CD album with each ticket purchase, which they can get autographed by the band at the end of the show!