TORONTO — June 19, 2020 — Canadian JUNO Award-nominated world ensemble Toronto Tabla Ensemble is having a party with some Unexpected Guests in this, their newest album release — available now!
Across the release’s seven tracks, the critically acclaimed group of artists weave a variety of instruments, from percussion to bagpipe, piano to taiko, sarod to flute, and more, with their signature sound rooted by the traditional tabla.
"This album is a simple one," TTE Founder and Artistic Director and Roy Thomson Hall Award winner Ritesh Das says. ”Most of the tracks are in very straightforward 4/4 grooves. On our other albums, you had tracks with different time signatures that made it really intellectual and complicated.
“I wanted this one to be something that anyone can sit back and listen to and enjoy."
Along with delivering the most approachable songs in their vast repertoire, Unexpected Guests is their latest in a series of boldly collaborative and sonically expansive works. In keeping with its eye-opener title, the immersive and diverse album finds Das and the TTE hosting a party of musical visitors: Enter The Haggis bagpipe player Craig Downie, Japanese Taiko Ensemble Nagata Shachu, singer Maryem Hassan Tollar, violinist Raaginder Singh Momi, flautist Alysha Addetia and more.
Toronto Tabla Ensemble have released six original studio albums, including their JUNO Award-nominated 2000 album Firedance, and Global Music Award and Independent Music Award-winning 2018 release, Bhumika.
Das and the TTE teamed up with Tea Party frontman Jeff Martin for the 2007 concert DVD Live At The Enmore Theatre, and their compositions have been licensed for commercials, films, and as the theme music for CBC Radio’s daily Metro Morning.
It’s this furthering of collaborative approach — plus a love of musical exchange — that allows members and audiences to learn about other cultures and unites people at a time when our world has never been more divided. "By collaborating, you create awareness," says Das. "And through awareness comes respect."
Over the decades, the 62-year old veteran teacher has continued to study his craft. The TTE has also continued to grow, and includes a youth ensemble and film/video division led by Melissa Das-Arp in addition to the performing ensemble and tabla school.
And with Unexpected Guests, he's crafted an album that shares his musical vision and presents listeners with a vision of "inspiration, hope, encouragement, integrity and strength."
Throughout it all, however, Das has never lost sight of the simple pleasure that drew him to tabla half a century ago and continues to give him joy to this day: The instrument's enigmatic, wondrous sound.
"I don't know exactly what it is about that sound," he admits. "And I don't think I want to know. Because if I do know, I think I'll die."
Unexpected Guests is available now.
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Das-Arp
melissa@tablaensemble.com
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article posted by:Ritesh Das, Toronto Tabla Ensemble