Jazz Around the World - Asia

As early as the 1920’s jazz was traveling the world, influencing and being influenced by musical traditions on every continent.  Join us as we explore each of these places individually, with a series of special guests who will play and talk about how their music is part of an international continuum.

Hailed as a leading voice in the South Asian-American jazz movement, innovative drummer, composer, and dhol player, Sunny Jain, will be joining the National Jazz Museum of Harlem this Tuesday, Oct 2nd, for a discussion and performance as part of this month’s Jazz Around the World series. Sunny has been voted a Rising Star Percussionist by Downbeat magazine's critic’s poll for his unique sound that blends his Punjabi roots with influences from all around the world. Sunny's work, inspired by India's musical sensibilities as well as Brazilian and West African rhythms, has found common ground in the syncopated jazz canon making him a pioneer in the Indian jazz scene. Sunny was designated a Jazz Ambassador by the U.S. Department of State and The Kennedy Center in 2002 amongst a slew of other accolades and currently tours with his 9-piece bhangra funk band, Red Baraat.