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REZ ABBASI'S BAZAAR feat. KIRAN (Pakistan / India / USA)
Rez Abassi - guitar (Pakistan)
Kiran Ahluwalia - voice (India)
Gary Versage - hammond organ (USA)
Danny Weiss - drums, tabla, percussions (USA)
Born on the Indian Sub-Continent, removed at the age of four to the sounds of Southern California, schooled at the University of Southern California and the Manhattan School of Music as well as a pilgrimage in India under the tutorial of master percussionist, Ustad Alla Rakha, Rez Abbasi is a vivid synthesis of all the above stated influences and genres.
Making New York home for the past 18 years, Rez Abbasi is considered by many to be one of the foremost modern jazz guitar players on todays scene. With influence from the Indian sub-continent, Rez has developed a unique sound both as a composer and an instrumentalist.
" ... Invigorating and graceful playing, unpredictable and fascinating compositions... Abbasi is a rarity! "
Jazziz
Rez has honed his skills with performances throughout the world including multiple tours in Europe, Canada, the U.S., Mexico and India. He has performed or recorded with many jazz greats including, Grammy winner Ruth Brown, Peter Erskine, Kenny Werner, Barre Phillips, DD Jackson, Tim Hagans, Marc Johnson, Billy Hart, Michael Formanek, Marvin 'Smitty' Smith, Gary Thomas, Rick Margitza, Dave Douglas, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Tony Malaby, Shahid Ali, George Brooks, Greg Osby, Marilyn Crispell, Pandit Ronu Majumdar, Pandit Kadri Gopalnath, Pandit Viswa Mohin Bhatt, and a host of others.
With five albums of original compositions under his belt, Rez continues to garner new groups of musicians to help his musical concepts come to life. 20th Century Guitar reviewed his latest CD as, "One of the best examples yet of how to merge Indian music with jazz...Snake Charmer really breaks new ground."
Snake Charmer is a metaphor for the life energy in our body that rises like a snake through meditation or chanting. According to Eastern spiritualism, we can create a state of personal bliss and eventual world peace by becoming more aware of these properties within. The group Snake Charmer is guitarist Rez Abbasi's latest venture. It began in 2001 as a trio consisting of guitar-organ-drums for the purposes of uniting the music of jazz with other elements, specifically Indian/Pakistani Music. With the addition of Indo/Canadian Juno winning vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia, this quartet has become one of the most creative and diverse groups blending Jazz with Indian/Pakistani music and more. Snake Charmer has toured in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Canada and the U.S. The groups debut CD "Snake Charmer" made a large impact when it hit in 2005. Reviews including descriptions as "Ground Breaking", "Fascinating", and "Miraculous" have been written multiple times. The album also made a number of 'top ten CDs of the year' lists. Rez recently signed a deal with the Zoho label for this groups 2nd CD, Bazaar. As the group consists of four core members, there are a variety of guests on the albums.
Rez Abbasi's new recording Bazaar, is now available!
REVIEWS
" ... Stimulating new music. Is this soul-jazz, fusion, Indian music, post-bop or world fusion? The answer has to be: All of them and none of them. Well worth several listens... "
* * * 4 Stars - Scott Yanow (AllMusicGuide)
“ ... An amazing guitarist....unique and beautiful music - and best of all - very original...I’m really impressed... ”
Pat Metheny
" ... A uniquely virtuosic approach, which often peppers carefully constructed melodies with cascading flurries of notes to great effect..." (Best of 2006)
John Kelman (All About Jazz)
" ... A totally successful blend of two complex musical genres, namely jazz and Indian music. A journey through uncharted territory achieving a result unparalleled in today's jazz/world music scene! "
Peter Kuller - Jazz Radio Adelaide 101.5fm
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