VidyA is an adventurous new group that merges the virtuosity of Jazz with the melodic and rhythmic nuance of South Indian classical (Carnatic) music. Led by critically-acclaimed saxophonist, Prasant Radhakrishnan along with David Ewell (bass) and Sameer Gupta (Drums), VidyA has emerged with a soulful, penetrating sound that pushes the labels of “fusion” or “world music.”
These three artists have an almost telepathic interplay, incorporating the forward motion of both Indian Classical and jazz rhythms while elaborating Carnatic ragas infused with melodic richness. The group weaves in and out of the two genres while all the time merging them into one. VidyA translates the language of Carnatic music into the idiom of Jazz.
VidyA's debut CD features eleven compositions from their extremely successful live repertoire, crafted from performing artist residencies and live performances over the past two years. Encompassing deep forays into Indian Classical ragas and jazz sensibilities, constantly building rhythmic and melodic intensity while always playing from the soul, VidyA's album brings the depth of their live performance to a studio album.
