The Boston-based multi-cultural group’s debut album, Beginnings, tracks their decade-long journey across genres
initialThe Boston-based multi-cultural collective’s debut album tracks their decade-long journey across genres
“Are you jet-lagged?” Annette asks Philip. “Not at all. How can I be when I am in this environment full of music,” replies Shreya Ghoshal. “Actually I see myself in these young people and wish I had a chance to be in such a place meet. It’s an open and inclusive place to have lots of fun and learn music. You are all blessed,” she smiles as she looks at students attending the residency held at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2017.
Singer is now part of Berklee Indian Ensemble’s debut album beginning, Which marks the first decade of the musical group together. One of the tracks in the album ‘Sundari Panna’ was originally sung by Shreya for Tamil film composer D. Imman. Oru Urla Rendu Raja, Presented in a grunge-inspired version, the song, recorded during his residency, fuses progressive rock, konakol and jazz on complex Indian classical rhythms. “To date, this is the most collaboratively rearranged cover the ensemble has created,” says Annette, the first Indian musician to be appointed to a faculty at Berklee and the ensemble’s founder.
Singer Shreya Ghoshal performing during her residence. Photo Credit: Courtesy: BIE
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What started as a class in 2011 is today one of the renowned global acts emerging from Boston, systematically transitioning into an 11-member professional band in 2021. It hosts productions, headlines international music festivals, and creates YouTube content. His success on YouTube can be traced to his interpretation of AR Rahman’s ‘Jiya Jale’ from the heart) The ensemble version went viral, garnering over 50 million views. This led to a sold-out concert of new arrangements of Rahman’s music, with 109 Berkley musicians on stage at Boston Symphony Hall. This paved the way for the ensemble to work with some of the biggest names in South Asian music.
Known for its distinctive style, the ensemble honors Indian musical traditions while experimenting with styles and art forms from around the world. “I was inspired to share Indian culture with Berklee (and beyond) and envision a performance collective that explored Indian music in all its forms. A space that allowed cultural influences from around the world. Past Over a decade, we have had over 450 musicians from 52 countries be part of this family. An entire institution, the Berklee India Exchange, was born in 2014 at this pace, providing artists’ residency, scholarships, workshops, teacher training modules and community Also focuses on service,” says Annette.
beginning, A 10-track anthology, featuring 98 musicians from 39 countries, and highlights the best of Indian artistry, including Ustad Zakir Hussain, composer-singer Shankar Mahadevan and vocalist Vijay Prakash, apart from Shreya. The tracks carry the ensemble’s diverse musical influences such as jazz, progressive rock, Indian classical, Sufi and Middle Eastern flavours.
Apart from Indian musicians and alumni and students of Berklee College of Music, initial Boasts collaborations with the contemporary-classical duo, Shadow and Light, and features two power tributes, as well as four original works.
“When I founded the Berklee Indian Ensemble, I wanted to make sure that young musicians felt safe bringing their own cultural tastes to our music. I used collaboration, innovation, kindness and adventure to be my guiding principles. students learn how to create a complete show, are exposed to techniques of composition and arrangement, and of course, discover new aspects about their artistry,” says Annette .
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BIE Founder Annette Philippe | photo credit: special arrangement
After graduating from Berklee many members have continued to perform with the ensemble while pursuing many new projects of their own. For example, alumni include touring musicians, engineers, musicians, arrangers, music supervisors, environmentalists, DJs, music therapists, actors and influencers.
“Some people have joined Berklee as teachers, or staff members of the Berklee India Exchange. The sky is the limit to what a creative person can and can do,” says Annette. The covers have gone viral, but many members have also performed original compositions that have been performed and recorded.
“We have about 22 originals so far and initial Four – two in Urdu (‘Pinha’ by Dhruv Goel, and ‘Arz-e-Niyaz’ by Shashank Navaldi), one in Bengali (‘Jago Piya’ by Armin Musa), and one scat syllables (‘Akash’ by Sharon) Reynolds). ,
Annette is planning to submit initial for the Grammys. The ensemble is planning to visit India by the end of this year. “A stadium show is part of our wish list and preliminary talks are on. Of course, we anticipate that our music will find sync licensing opportunities on popular streaming platforms and other occasions, to spread the joy and introduce global audiences to myriad music genres. ,
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A full-time professional touring band, the 11 members of the Berklee Indian Ensemble came together organically over the years.
Harshita Krishnan – (Nigeria/India) – Vocals
Rohit Jayaraman (USA) – Vocals / Percussion
Annette Philippe (India) – Piano/Vocals
Shai Portugal (Israel) – keys/tones
Leith Siddiq (Jordan/Iraq) – violin
Alif Hamdan – (Malaysia/Indonesia) – Guitar
Joel Janin (Israel) – guitar and buzouqi
Guy Bernfeld (Israel) – bass
Giri Subramaniam (India) – Tabla / Taal
Thomas Debelian (Brazil / Norway / Armenia) – Percussion
Yogev Gabe (Israel) – Drumset / Percussion