Indian Classical Music: A New Approach to an Ancient Tradition
and
Odissi Dance 

Celebration of Phil Scarff’s New Indian Classical Release, “Raga of the Radiant Moon”

On Saturday, Oct 28, 2023, Saxophonist Phil Scarff celebrates release of his new Indian classical recording, “Raga of the Radian Moon” [Galloping Goat GGCD-4424], with a concert at Chinmaya Mission Boston. This concert features noted artists from India. The concert will be held at Chinmaya Mission Boston, 1 Union St, Andover, MA 01810. The show starts at 6:00pm. All ages welcome. General admission $30, students, seniors $25. Tickets available at the door, or advance purchase, visit:

www.tinyurl.com/CMBoct28
or
https://chinmaya-boston.org/ 

Deeply meditative ragas. Beautifully intricate rhythms. Soaring flights of melodic exploration. Intuitive improvisational interplay. This adventurous and unique collaboration features master musicians hailing from Kolkata, India, sitarist Anjan Saha, and tabla maestro and Ravi Shankar collaborator, Arup Chattopadhyay, teaming up with Boston Hindustani saxophonist Phil Scarff for a captivating set of Indian classical music.

This concert includes a set by Odissi (Indian classical) dancer Kaberi Sen with pre-recorded music, followed by a grand finale featuring Kaberi and all musicians performing together in an exhilarating capstone to the concert.

"Intoxicating music… Phil Scarff's rendition of [twilight] Raga Puriya Dhanashri… created the image of a multi-colored sunset lighting up the sky." â€“ Sakal, Pune, India

http://www.philscarff.com/

Selected for the artist rosters of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, SpicMacay and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Anjan Saha’s music reflects the highest standard of Indian classical music today. He has performed extensively in India, US, Europe, and the Middle East.

Pt. Arup Chattopadhyay is one of today’s most outstanding tabla artists. He has performed with many leading artists, including the legendary Ravi Shankar in his tours throughout North America, Europe, and India, including performances in Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center in US; and Barbican Hall in London.

Mesmerizing dancer Kaberi Sen performs Odissi, one of India’s classical dance forms. She has delighted audiences with her performances in India, US, Europe, and the Middle East.

“Raga of the Radiant Moon” features tracks recorded in India at the Bhimsen Joshi Sangeet Mahotsav, Sangli, MH, and in virtual concerts for Raaga, Inc., of Fort Myers, FL, and the Rocky Mountain Thyagaraja Utsavam, CO. Scarff is joined by tabla virtuosos Bhushan Parchure of Mumbai, India, and Amit Kavthekar of Boston. This recording features an unusual range of Indian classical styles, including a nod to South Indian saxophone icon, Kadri Gopalnath, a meditative abhang or devotional song, and a sprightly dhun or folk song.

Digital release available for review and airplay:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5re167qkzesnjm85xtxcn/h?rlkey=5hjydv53hj53t5baamaap2z1a&dl=0

Physical CDs available on request to philscarff@natrajmusic.com or 781-572-6956.

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philscarff.com, press kits, photographs, and CDs available

Phil Scarff
Galloping Goat Productions
2 Dana Ave., Winchester, MA 01890-1010, USA
philscarff@natrajmusic.com
cell 781-572-6956
                                                                                                

Galloping Goat Announces New Release by Phil Scarff

Title: Raga of the Radiant Moon
Artist: Phil Scarff (www.philscarff.com)
Label, Catalog No.: Galloping Goat, GGCD-4424
Format: 1-CD, digital
Digital Distribution: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, Pandora, Tidal, TikTok, SoundCloud, and more.
File Under: World/Indian Classical 

Digital release available for review and airplay:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5re167qkzesnjm85xtxcn/h?rlkey=5hjydv53hj53t5baamaap2z1a&dl=0

Physical CDs available on request to philscarff@natrajmusic.com or 781-572-6956.

In his new release of North Indian classical (Hindustani) music, Boston USA saxophonist Phil Scarff collaborates with tabla virtuosos Bhushan Parchure of Mumbai, India, and Amit Kavthekar of Boston, both rigorously trained by Indian percussion legends Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain. It was recorded live at the Bhimsen Joshi Sangeet Mahotsav (Music Festival) in Sangli, MH, India, and in virtual concerts for Raaga, Inc., Fort Myers, FL, USA, and the Rocky Mountain Thyagaraja Utsavam, CO, USA. Scarff demonstrates his versatility, with selections based on both vocal (“gayaki ang”) and instrumental styles. Highlights range from the rarely heard, meditative, 14-beat vilambit jhumra cycle in the vocal style, to a faster piece presented in instrumental style set to 9-beat matta taal. In a nod to the late South Indian saxophone icon, Kadri Gopalnath, Scarff includes an energetic South Indian saxophone-style ending sequence. The varied programming includes tranquil abhang, or devotional piece, and a catchy shehnai-style dhun or folk song.

Scarff has toured India regularly performing Hindustani concerts for the past 15 years. While remaining true to the Hindustani tradition, Scarff introduces innovations informed by a career as a contemporary jazz and world-music improviser and his numerous collaborations with Indian, West African, and jazz masters. His performances on some of India's most coveted concert stages have consistently garnered acclaim. His concert at the legendary Tansen Samaroh, Gwalior, with Saskia Rao de Haas was "The highlight of the festival." [Dainik Bhaskar]. Scarff’s appearances also include India's Nehru Center and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Mumbai); Saptak School of Music (Ahmedabad); Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (Kolkata); ICCR Theater (Delhi); and Pt Chatur Lal Festival (virtual). He is featured in the music video, “Vaishnav Jan To” (music director Dhruvit Shah), awarded “Best Music” in the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival and “Best Music - Jury” in the Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival.

“Phil Scarff… weaving magic through his saxophone… soul-stirring… sonorous… refreshing and delightful.” - Deccan Herald, Bengaluru, India. 

"Saxophonist Scarff impresses in his Hindustani performance… played… with brilliance." - Afternoon Despatch & Courier, Mumbai, India

"Phil Scarff… great imagination… sensitively traditional… pleasing and infectious." - Songlines

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www.philscarff.com, CDs available on request.

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