May 07 2022 to May 07 2022 7 p.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Natakvalas

75 17th E Main Rd, 6th Block, Koramangala 560095

Event Description

REFUGE is a reflective set of musical themes exploring ideas of home and paying homage to inward journeys. Although created through an intensely personal process, the music deals with the human condition, and finds resonance with listeners across the globe.

The music thrives on the synthesis of myriad influences – jazz, Indian and European classical traditions, music from the American continents, Japanese and East Asian aesthetics, West African music, and folk music from around the world. Casual and extended improvisation play key roles in developing most of these pieces.

This is essentially a collection of pieces that originated at the piano, travelling across continents on various collaborations, meeting a multitude of musicians and audiences along the way, only to return to the piano in this avatar.

THE COMPOSER

Aman Mahajan is a pianist, composer and improviser based in Bangalore, India, playing improvised music across a diversity of musical idioms. His current work is influenced by traditional and contemporary forms of music from around the world, often concept-driven, and inspired by a sense of unity and connection. He is keenly interested in improvised music as a medium of interaction and exploration.

Mahajan has performed widely on the Indian music circuit and internationally at venues including Moods (Zürich 2020) Murszene (Graz 2019) Jazzwerkstatt (Graz 2018) Jazz Utsav (New Delhi 2017) EUROPAFest (Sinaia 2015) Festival of Sacred Music (Thiruvaiyaru 2015) Goa Jazz Festival (Goa 2014) IndiEarth XChange (Madras 2014) Rhythm & Blues Festival (Kasauli 2014) goMAD Festival (Ooty 2013) and MAD Festival (Ooty 2012).

Presently based out of Bangalore he is involved with his solo piano project Refuge and collaborations including Tinctures with Berlin-based guitarist Nishad Pandey a duo with vocalist Radha Thomas and cross-cultural trio Mystik Vibes with percussionist Muthu Kumar and flautist Amith Nadig.

PRESS

Mahajan’s compositions encompass a contemporary approach to music and incorporate a whole range of musical structures and stimulating rhythmic cycles; with interesting melody lines and harmonies. The compositions may sound simple, but they are filled with rhythmic complexity, intriguing harmonies and appealing melodies, all of them unique…

Explocity Bangalore | 18.03.20

There is an inner sense to his playing that, although it nods to jazz, Indian folk and classical, very much breathes with its own life...the piano feels like a friend of many years, coaxing love out of Aman and making suggestions of where the pieces might lead.

FREQ Magazine | 01.03.20

The stunning artwork aptly betrays a delightful album that weaves a densely captivating and insightful, yet fleeting and liberating, narrative with its intricate piano pieces.

Wild City ‘Singled Out’ | 11.02.20

Mahajan’s syncretic, contemporary approach does not belong to a particular style of music, yet as one listens, the music grows quite special as the pianist weaves a dense yet liberating spell over the listener.

High Notes and Dance | 16.09.19

Mahajan’s music is, despite the brisk tempo at which it is mostly played, quite deep in its melodic structure, often reflective...the ideas behind his work, as reflected in the titles or themes of the pieces played, are deep.

The Hindu | 28.08.13