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VidyA

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.

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Album Review

Vidya: The Papillon

Read "The Papillon" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


Songwriting often provides a sense of exploration and self-discovery which is not as present in other art forms. We can easily express our thoughts with words but something extraordinary happens when we add music to the mix as well, and that is certainly the case with Swedish pianist and composer Vidya Liselotte-Sundberg. Her album The Papillon gave her an opportunity to examine and come to understand some of her most profound and heartbreaking experiences. Vidya grew up surrounded ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

VidyA

Lotus Music
2008

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