Thanks to all of those who came down as we celebrated 10 years of the Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles and 5 years of Rukus Avenue at a special party featuring a bunch of great Dj’s and artists.

More info about our guests

Jas Ahluwalia was born in North America and from a very early age was deeply attracted to the unique sounds and rhythms of the tabla. He grew up in a family where music was an integral part of life. From the time that he has a conscious memory, Jas remembers playing the tabla. His parents encouraged him by leaving tablas in various parts of the house and at the age of two he could be heard mimicking complex tabla rhythms. An important part of his musical influences has been playing with Kirtan, the singing of Sikh sacred texts. Consequently to this day, playing the tabla remains a deeply spiritual experience for him. His fondest memory is of Ustad Tari Khan, who was like an uncle and provided him with the greatest inspiration. From the first moment when he heard Ustad Tari Khan play, the sound and intricacies captivated him. Since the age of nine, he has been a disciple of the world renowned Ustad Tari Khan. Remarkably, Jas has learnt the Tabla in the traditional Ustad/Shagird relationship which entails a deep bond between master and disciple. Entrenched in the classical mode of training, he is utterly conversant in a variety of genres including instrumental, vocal, ghazal, qawwali, classical and modern dance, Punjabi folk, jazz, asian underground and kirtan. He is frequently invited to participate in studio recordings, live performances, and film scoring sessions. Jas’ recent performances include collaborations with Grammy winner Osvaldo Golijov at Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Gingger Shankar, Bombay Dub Orchestra, grammy-nominated Jazz Pianist Rob Mullins, and guitarist Andy Summers of The Police. His latest studio collaborations include those with famed Punjabi producer Sangtar and Tron and Dexter Composer Joseph Trapanese. His film credits include Sundance Audience Award winner Circumstance, Sean Hacket’s Homecoming, and Igor Voloshin’s Beodouin. He is currently working on a classical orchestral album with Gingger Shankar, a Sikh Hymn album, recording for Richard Montoya’s film Water & Power, and touring with Gingger Shankar and Kamaljeet Ahluwalia.

Kamaljeet Ahluwalia is part of the new wave of Asian musicians emerging from the UK. A disciple of the legendary maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, she uses her Indian classical roots to walk an innovative path on the Santoor, a rare and exquisite hammered dulcimer/zither that can simultaneously explore vast sublime melodies and intricate detailed rhythmic patterns. She has collaborated with a diverse array of artists including Guy Sigsworth, Mercury Music Award winner Talvin Singh, Fruit Tree, Universal Taal and acclaimed dancer and choreographer Akram Khan to name a few. She has performed throughout the UK and internationally as part of the multi-art production Journey into India, as well as many solo performances across India, Europe, and North America. This imaginative musician is currently collaborating with guitarist Giuliano Modarelli on their fresh project, One Hundred and Six Strings which breathes new life into a proud and ancient Indian classical jugalbadhi (duet) tradition by fusing the strengths of their versatile instruments. She is also recording with producer and musician Wayne Nunes from Warrior Charge and touring with Gingger Shankar.

On Thursday 12th April they will perform a live Dj set along with special guests tabla maestro Jas Ahluwalia and santoor player Kamaljeet Ahluwalia at The Supper Club Hollywood.

They will also be doing a short DJ set on Friday evening the 13th April at 9pm in the Courtyard at the Arclight followed by an acoustic set with Tabla and Santoor on Saturday 14th evening from 10.30 pm.

On Sunday 15th at 3pm the film Marathon Boy which Garry scored and Andrew also worked on will be screened at the film Festival.

The concerts are presented by Rukus Avenue.

The film Project Happiness focuses on four teens from Santa Cruz, California. Each faces personal obstacles to happiness: loss, alienation and the everyday challenges of being a teenager passing into adulthood. An innovative project that asks the question “How do we achieve lasting happiness?” introduces them by internet and video diaries to their peers in Nigeria and India and quickly leaves lectures and books behind. The teens also engage in conversations with cultural icons George Lucas, Richard Gere and groundbreaking neuroscientist Richard Davidson. The three international groups ultimately meet face to face in India for the first time to prepare for a rare private audience with the Dalai Lama.

The trailer features Mumtaz – (Ornament of the Palace Remix)

Project Happiness, a feature length documentary film, follows a senior high school class from Mount Madonna School near Watsonville, California, on a journey to discover the true nature of human happiness. Joining them on this quest are students from the Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamsala, India, and students from the Dominion Heritage Academy in Jos, Nigeria.

Using email, blogs and video cameras, the participants from three continents exchanged their cultural perspectives. Over seven months, they shared personal stories, opinions and challenges, which created the foundation for life-long friendships.

Following many months of reflection and cross-cultural conversation, the American students traveled by plane, train and 4WD to India to connect for the first time face-to-face with their counterparts. As a community, they continued to test their theories, ask hard questions and prepare for the meeting of a lifetime… a private interview with the 14th Dalai Lama. Culminating on graduation day, this is an experience they will never forget. It is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all of us to see through the eyes of our youth what is most important in the universal quest for lasting happiness.

*info and photo courtesy of Project Happiness

Upon learning of his condition, a few close friends, artists and industry professionals have come together to rally around Chebiji to assist him with his fight.

An incredible collection of some of global music’s finest musicians have gathered to contribute exclusive tracks and remixes to help raise money for fusion pioneer Cheb i Sabbah‘s health care costs, in his battle against cancer. We were blessed to be asked and have contributed a track that we are very proud of called Flame of The Forest – featuring vocals and violin by Kartik our longtime vocalist as well as UK’s tabla maestro Sirishkumar who has also been with us for many years.

We ask you to join us to help Cheb i Sabbah in his time of need.

Featured artists on the double album include Ustad Zakir Hussain, Kailash Kher, Pandit G. S. Sachdev, Riffat Sultana & Sukhawat Ali Khan, Nitin Sawhney, Natacha Atlas, Karsh Kale, Bauhaus, Cheb i Sabbah, Transglobal Underground, MIDIval PunditZ, Amina Annabi, Bill Laswell & Gigi, Opium Feat. MC Raï, Mercan Dede, Janaka Selekta, Bombay Dub Orchestra, Azam Ali & Loga Ramin Torkian, Dub Kirtan All Stars Feat. Freq Nasty, David Starfire & Rik Sharaj, Jef Stott, Watcha Clan, Emam & Friends, Jai Uttal.

From Cheb i Sabbah:

“It was in May of 2011 when doctors told me that I had stage 4 stomach cancer and it had spread to my left lung and liver. I was given a less than six months sentence to live. They were wrong in part of their diagnosis; they did not take into account the power of prayers and love from the thousands of friends, fans and families that i received. It is because of your love, prayers and generosity that I am still alive today.

After a major surgery and three months of intensive and painful chemo therapy in Germany, i have opted for phase two, an alternative and more holistic approach to healing in India and the US.”

You can help Cheb i Sabbah by purchasing a copy of the Samaya Benefit Album. 100% of the net proceeds will go directly to Cheb i Sabbah’s Health Care Treatment Fund.

The official website to lead the campaign is Sweet Relief Musicians Fund:

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.

We are featuring one remix by someone from anywhere around the globe – And we are holding a competition to chose the winner – Guys ‘n’ Gals This could be you!

If you fancy a crack at remixing one of our tracks send us an email to info@bombayduborchestra.com with NYC Remix as the subject with the track title you’d like to remix and include an example of your remix work. If you get into the next round we’ll email you a link to the stems/parts. We’ll feature the best ten online with our favourite making it onto the album

We are very grateful for you support from musicians and music fans alike. Without you guys we’d have no audience to play to – no one to hear our efforts. So thanks again and do get in touch!

Andrew & Garry

Bombay Dub Orchestra London September 2011

After two highly acclaimed string driven, predominantly acoustic projects, Natacha Atlas returns to the Global Dance-floor with Mounqaliba-Rising: The Remixes. Globally celebrated singer Natacha Atlas’ latest release Mounqaliba was a decidedly acoustic affair, recorded with a 20-piece Turkish ensemble and a chamber orchestra & integrating western and Arabic styles. Mounqaliba (which means being in a state of reversal’ in classical Arabic) was a stunning set of original songs & evocative interludes, which also featured a beautiful version of Nick Drake’s classic “Riverman”.

From her days singing with Transglobal Underground to her seminal solo releases,Natacha is acknowledged as a pioneer in fusing Middle Eastern and Electronica styles. Mounqaliba-Rising: The Remixes finds the vanguard of the global fusion world paying homage to one of the most distinctive & beautiful voices in modern music.

Remixers like Beats Antique, Nickodemus & The Spy From Cairo, Cheb i Sabbah, Bombay Dub Orchestra, Syriana, David Starfire, EarthRise SoundSystem, Kaya Project and many more, take Natacha’s latest opus into new directions ranging from lush ambient journeys to dynamic rhythmic explorations.

Over the next few months we’ll be compiling a new remix release featuring remixes of both BDO albums by New York City based remixers, dj’s and producers. The release is to be curated by New York based songwriter, producer, dj and artist extraordinaire Tony Grund. The project will feature a host of up-and-coming underground remixers, dj’s, artists and producers as well as a few key names on the New York club scene. Accompanying the remix will be animations, short films and video.

We will also be featuring one remix by someone from anywhere around the globe. We will be holding a competition to chose the winner – This could be you!

We’ll be releasing more info over the next week or two as to how you can get involved either on the music side or with the visuals! You can also get involved and head up one of our Promo Street Teams

This Monday 25th April BDO will be appearing at Pianos in the upstairs bar accompanied by tabla player Sameer Gupta. Opening the night will be Tony Grund from Echostream  Bombay Dub Orchestra will start at 9/9.30 with Sameer joining them later in the set.

Later in the week BDO will be guest at (le) Poisson Rouge Dj’ing another set of electronica mixed with Indian and Middle Eastern influences.

Facebook page for Pianos gig.
Facebook page for Poisson Rouge gig.