The San Jose Wind Symphony, conducted by Dr. David Vickerman, is delighted to welcome Sameer Gupta, virtuoso soloist on tabla or Indian hand drums One of the few percussionists in the world who is fluent in both classical Indian music and American jazz, Mr. Gupta's unique musical sound combines traditional and modern improvisational styles. His prodigious skills will be spotlighted as he joins the Wind Symphony in performing Reena Esmail's Chamak.
The concert also features Vesuvius by Frank Tichelli, Jennifer Jolley's poignant contemplation on the destruction of California wildfires, Ash, alongside the energetic and rhythmic Dancing Fire by Kevin Day. The concert concludes with Ida Gotkovsky's epic masterpiece Poeme du Feu.
Sameer Gupta is a first generation Indian American artist, parent, entrepreneur and educator. As an established voice in the jazz, world, and fusion music scenes, he is recognized for melding traditional and modern improvisational styles, creating a distinct sound all his own. From bebop to avant-garde jazz, and European classical percussion to North Indian classical tabla, Gupta composes and performs music from a true multicultural perspective that bridges several continents.
Gupta is a co-founder of the non-profit collective Brooklyn Raga Massive, a group rooted in and inspired by Indian classical music and hailed by The New Yorker as the "leaders of the raga renaissance." He has performed at Lincoln Center; Birla Auditorium, Kolkata, India; SFJAZZ; Nehru Centre, London; MoMA, NYC; and Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco. Gupta has held workshops on Indian music and cross over drumming styles at Fordham University, California Jazz Conservatory, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music and several international institutions. He has performed the works of Indian classical Orchestral composer Reena Esmail as well as worked as a teaching artist in New York City and Oakland California school districts.
$22 general, $17 senior, $7 student. You may order one free child ticket (12 and under) with each paid general or senior ticket. Special ticket prices are available for groups of 10 or more - call 408-927-7597 for information.