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Arooj Aftab processes the Sufi tradition through an open-minded approach to sonic matter, reminiscent of jazz improvisation, and a contemporary production that does not shy away from incorporating subtle electronic undertones.

With this method, the Lahore-born, Brooklyn-based artist completely reworks classical Pakistani and North Indian forms, like thumri, khayal, and kafi. With those broad inspirations, she creates a fascinating mix of sounds and cultures.

Aftab’s debut album, “Bird Under Water“, dazzles with detailed arrangements and mesmerizing ambience. The music floats through the air with a particular kind of lightness and poise. Feel its elegant movement and let yourself sink in.

Emily Manzo is a musician that TimeOut New York considers “a uniquely protean artist who makes several scenes move.” The New York Times has described her “attention to detail exceptional.” Emily frequently performs throughout the U.S. and Europe in concerts and festivals of chamber music, experimental music and rock music. She is a member of the Julius Eastman Memory Depot, Till by Turning and Christy & Emily. She has composed music for dance with Anna Sperber, Katie Eastburn and currently works with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. She has premiered the works of John Luther Adams, Susie Ibarra, Matthew Welch, Daniel Felsenfeld and many others. As a vocalist and pianist she can be heard on Tzadik, New Amsterdam Records, SHSK’H, The Social Registry, Big Print, Klangbad, Merge, and Jagjaguar. Her degrees were earned at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Columbia University. With funding from the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Foundation, she has recently developed the Hey, Chopin! educational project.

Emily Manzo official site
Hey Chopin offocial site

Maeve Gilchrist official site

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, Maeve Gilchrist stretches harmonic limits and improvisational possibilities with her innovative folk-jazz fusion. Touring internationally as bandleader or soloist, she has appeared at such major events as Tanglewood Jazz Festival and World Harp Congress. Having released four albums, Gilchrist has also created her own label Osinato project. She is also the first lever harpist to be employed as an instructor by Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she graduated. 

Yusuke Yamamoto is a multi-instrumental musician who performs on vibraphone, drums, percussion, flute, keyboards and bass. His unique sound is a blend of Asian, Brazilian and African music, as well as jazz, electronica, dub, rock and contemporary classical. Yusuke has played with a wide variety of musicians and at countless venues throughout the city. He has toured to Japan, Europe and around the U.S. with groups, including the Golden Monkeys, channel U, Dizzy Ventilators, Chimp Beams, Dub Nomads, Chin Chin, Chiara Civello, Sound of Village, Echo (Joy Askew) and The Beat Kids. Produced and released channel U’s albums, Ape-Man Talking(1st) and So Possible (2nd). Performed on Broadway musical, “FELA!” in 2010. Recorded various instruments with Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) on her produced track “Strange Love” which became the closing theme of Disney movie, “Frankenweenie” directed by Tim Burton in 2012. In 2014, Performed with “Blue Man Group” at there special presentation event in NY
 
Yusuke Yamamoto official site

Jay Gandhi is a truly outstanding disciple of the world renowned bansuri maestro, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. His musical pursuits are not limited to that of the Indian sub-continent; he has great love for the music of the African diaspora and America’s classical music – Jazz, as well. In 2004, he completed an Individual Major in Jazz Performance at Oberlin College/Conservatory of Music (Ohio), studying privately under such Jazz luminaries as the saxophonist Gary Bartz and trumpetist Marcus Belgrave. He has since collaborated extensively with many noted Jazz musicians including composer/Jazz pianist Courtney Bryan and trumpetist Lech Wierzynski.
 
“Hindustani flautist Jay Gandhi took his… divine birdsong on what must have been an unexpected course [and] listeners shook their heads in admiring disbelief.” FINANCIAL TIMES
 

Jay Gandhi official site

featuring Iakov Kremenskiy on Guitar and Shirazette Tinnin on Drums
 
Shayna Small most recently starred in the musical adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower by Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon at The Public Theater. She appeared on Jim White’s album The Americans and has also featured at the DC Jazz Fest. Shayna has sung in number of plays and musicals, including: The Colored Museum (dir. Billy Porter) and Three Penny Opera (dir. Sam Gold). She received her BFA from The Juilliard School.
 

Iakov Kremenskiy originally from Russia, grew up in Europe and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, has been an active musician and producer in New York City for some years now. He has performed all over the world, sharing the stage with notable musicians such as: Randy Brecker, Marcus Miller, Jan Akkerman, Outasight and Parson James to name a few. He bridges all styles be he in the studio or on stage on bass or on guitar to create something memorable and unforgettable for the listener.
 
Born and raised in North Carolina, drummer Shirazette Tinnin’s sound resonates with jazz, soul, and many other styles of music. An in demand drummer in New York City, has recently performed with Alicia Keys on BET in Black Girl’s Rock (2012). She has been on tour with Tia Fuller at the Umbria Jazz Festival, Molde Jazz Festival and the Turkish Ambassadors, as well as leading her own group, The Shirazette Experiment Core-Tet. Shirazette is also collaborating with numerous other artists, and is the resident drummer for the Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet. She strives to keep the motion of jazz music progressive in all of her endeavors.
 
Besides performing, Shirazette is an active clinician, teacher, health coach and author, writing articles for Modern Drummer and Tom Tom Magazine. Shirazette is currently working on the release of her debut album as a bandleader, and is signed with the new record label Hot Tone Music. It is to be released in 2013.
 
Shirazette endorses Vic Firth, Canopus Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Latin Percussion, Beato Bags, and KickPort.
 
Shirazette Tinnin official site