Indo jazz

Indo jazz is a hybrid musical genre consisting of jazz, classical and indian influences. The structure and patterns would be based on Indian music with the improvisation typical to jazz overlaid. The term might be comparatively recent, but the concept dates at least to the mid-1950s. Musicians like John Coltrane, Yusef Lateef, and others showed Indian influences.

The Mahavishnu Orchestra might be an early example of a jazz group with Indian influences as John McLaughlin at that time was a devotee of Sri Chinmoy. Others found the improvisational elements already in some Indian music to fit well with jazz. Although John Mayer and Joe Harriott are perhaps the most important influences in the movement. In addition Alice Coltrane is also known for relational work.

Specific to John Mayer

"Mayer is very definite about that distinction, as only someone could understand who grew up in Calcutta studying Indian music with Sanathan Mukherjee whilst simultaneously learning Western music with Melhi Mehta. "Indian music is basically built around a linear technique," he says. "There's no harmony in the Western sense, just one extended melodic line accompanied by a drone. The absence of harmony is compensated for by very complex rhythms. As I found out more about Western music, I realised that there are similarities with the techniques of serialism. In serialism you are dealing with an atonal sequence, and in ragas, the Indian scale system, you are dealing with a tonal sequence, but one which goes up one way and down another, what's called the aroha-avaroha. In most of the music we play in Indo-Jazz Fusions, the music is all scored. I don't believe in too much improvisation, and when there is space for improvising, this is done in a format which reminds the player of the notes of the raga."

"Indo-Jazz Fusions is just such proof of the folly of labels. It isn't a question of the music being jazz, or Indian, or classical; it is a thoroughly satisfying blend of ingredients into something genuinely new, original and forward looking. "

Indo jazz and Beyond: Alien Chatter

Alien Chatter couldn’t agree more with the above quote: “Indo-Jazz Fusions is just such proof of the folly of labels. It isn't a question of the music being jazz, or Indian, or classical; it is a thoroughly satisfying blend of ingredients into something genuinely new, original and forward looking.” With that in mind, enter the musical world of Alien Chatter.

Alien Chatteris the unexpected duo of Indian percussionist Satnam Signh Ramgotra and jazz/funk keyboardist Rodney Lee. Their sonic emissions are a sophisticated blend of atmospheric electronic textures and exotic rhythms. It’s an eclectic mix of Indian Tabla drums, acoustic jazz piano, synths, beatbox, spoken word in a primordial soup of electronics. The result is what they call Indo-Jazztronica.

Alien Chatter goes beyond the recent influx of Indian music that has been more beat/club driven, and brings the Jazz element back into the mix. Every composition is an experiment in the melding of North Indian Classical rhythms, Bhangra and Jazz/electronica genres.

In the tradition of Indo-Jazz and world electronic artists such as John McLaughlin, Shakti, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Zakir Hussain, and Talvin Singh, Alien Chatter is forging new ground with its unique modern take on East meets West.

Indo jazz musicians

• Arun Ghosh
• Trilok Gurtu
• Prasanna Ramaswamy
• Joe Harriott
• Zakir Hussein
• Sunny Jain
• John Mayer
• Alien Chatter
• Natraj
• Badal Roy
• L. Shankar
• Soul Yatra
• John McLaughlin
• Shakti with John McLaughlin
• Prem Joshua

Note: This includes both Westerners and Indians. In addition to that it includes musicians who may not be exclusive to this genre.

See also

• Sitar in jazz

External links

• [www.lutins.org/indyjazz/ij-3.html Lutins.org]
• "Remember Shakti" on Google Video