Ragleela in the Studio

This past January, Ragleela went into the studio to record the group's third album (my first with the group), Third Ear, which will be released this fall. On the album is Uwe on sitar and sansa, Jean-Marc on 7-string guitar, Eric on percussion, Cédric on contrabass, Guillaume on clarinet and bass-clarinet, and with myself on tabla and some other percussion as well.

We recorded at Studio Frisson (Montreal), with Don on sound and Michel producing. I have recorded at Frisson numerous times in the past, with composers Nicole Lizée and Ram Borcar, but this was my first time at the new Frisson space in the east-end of the city. It's an old church that has been converted; very spacious!

Everything was recorded live, with everyone in the same space. Dividers were placed between us in order to isolate the sound of each instrument as much as possible.

Since the album won't be out for quite a while (patience, patience...), here are some photos in the meantime! :)

Cedric, deep in concentration.

Percussionists on lunch break!

Creative discussions in progress!

Jean-Marc in the hot seat.

Percussive exchanges!

Thanks to Caroline for the photos!

Ragleela Quartet in Prévost

This past March 16, Ragleela played our first concert since being in the studio this past January. It was really great to be back in action, performing with the group. We played a mix of old and new tunes. Cédric, who recorded with us on contrabass, wasn't available for the performance, and so we had Matthieu with us as a special guest. The concert took place at the Église St-Francois-Xavier in Prévost, which is just a little bit past Saint Jerome, in the Laurentians.

I had just received my TransTabla the Monday prior, and so this concert was a perfect opportunity to test out the TransTabla and its alternative tuning mechanism. Just before beginning the concert, it seems that there was a very significant temperature change, and so my tabla was very flat; almost a full semi-tone. With just a small crank of the TransTabla, I had my tabla back up to pitch in record time. Of course, I could have easily re-tuned the traditional way, but the TransTabla certainly saved me a lot of time in this instance! Also, when I fly with tabla, or when the temperature is below freezing, I prefer to loosen my tabla for transport, as a precaution. This was also much faster with the TransTabla.

In a way, the TransTabla reminds me of the early timpani tuning mechanisms. At first, timpani were tuned with individual tension rods, each with its own tuning key. Later, mechanisms were developed so that by turning one key, the tension around the entire drumhead could be adjusted simultaneously, and eventually, this was replaced with the timpani pedals that we have now. Hmm, a pedal to re-tune tabla? Probably not! :)

Thanks to Caroline Tabah for the concert photos!

Sitar Two Ways

Those of you who have been following the blog know that I regularly accompany sitarist Uwe Neumann, as well as play with him in the fusion group Ragleela. These days, we are playing together quite a lot, in preparation for Ragleela's upcoming CD which will be recorded in December.

On October 19, Ragleela headed out to fabled Saint-Elie-de-Caxton, in rural Quebec. The village was made famous by storyteller Fred Pellerin, and the gnomes that are all over the place; yes, gnomes! There is even a gnome (lutin in French) crossing sign, right near where we played, the Rond Coin.

With the upcoming recording, this concert was all about road-testing the new material, with guest bassist Cédric Dind-Lavoie. It was also only the second concert with Jean-Marc on his new custom-made 7-string guitar, and with me playing the 'tabla-kit'. The more I play it, the more I enjoy it, and it really brings in some nice variety to the percussive timbres in the performance.

And then, this past October 26, I accompanied Uwe for a classical concert at the Sivananda Yoga centre, in downtown Montreal. It's always such as pleasure to play there, as it is such an intimate setting. The audience is always so very attentive and really gets immersed in the music.

As always, thank you to Caroline Tabah for the photos!

Quebec Jazz Festival with Jacinta Luis

This past October, I had the pleasure to play at the historic Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City as part of the Quebec Jazz Festival. Jazz singer and pianist Jacinta Luis was presenting her new project, Jazz Univers, which is a mix of jazz with her African and Goan roots. It was great fun to accompany her, along with bassist Adrian Vedady, guitarist/sitarist Evan Green, and drummer Claude Lavergne. Aside from tabla, I also played a bit of congas and pandeiro.

Photos by Caroline Tabah.