Different strokes

Ranjit Barot

While Fusion gigs have been getting increasingly popular of late, it is the right blend of artistes and their styles that creates magic on stage. An interesting combination of instrumental and vocals featuring Ranjit Barot on the drums, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt on the slide guitar, Mohini Dey on bass and Gulraj Singh on keyboards as well as vocals, promises to be a great improv session.

Mohini Dey

"We are rehearsing together for the first time today, just a day prior to the performance," says Barot, who has worked with the three artistes before. "I understand their strengths and there are certain aspects of their music I want to highlight. Mohini and Gulraj have worked with me on AR Rahman's concerts. The meeting of their personalities will add colour to the performance,"

Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

Grammy awardee and maestro of the mohan veena (Hindustani avatar of the slide guitar), Bhatt, has a virtuosity that is unparalleled. His vocabulary spans the worlds of both Indian Classical and Jazz/World music, which has resulted in numerous cross-cultural collaborations. "Ninety per cent of my work is pure Indian Classical music while in the space that remains, I like to experiment. I have tried fusions with Arabian, Chinese, Jazz and Country music as well.

Gulraj Singh

It helps you explore your own virtuosity in a different dimension. Fusion concerts have a younger audience who cheer, hoot and whistle unlike Classical concerts," says Bhatt, laughing. "I am looking forward to playing with the younger musicians for the first time. In an on the spot performance, the challenge is that the other musicians should be fluent in the musical language and in sync with one another," he adds.

Dey, the young electric bass player, has already carved a name for herself in the world of contemporary music before even turning 20. "She came to me when she was 13 and is a prodigy," Barot tells us. "I am honoured to be a part of the line up. It's my first time playing with Bhatt ji. I just want to have fun," says Dey.

With strong roots in Hindustani and Western Classical music, Singh, a vocalist and keyboard player, has lately been exploring Sufi and Contemporary Indian styles. "We will be doing some songs from Ranjit Sir's album, Chingari and a few other compositions. But most of them will have a new touch added by every musician," says the 34-year-old musician.

"I am playing with icons and it can be challenging to keep up with their level of performance. It helps me push myself, though. They also make you comfortable and you are inspired to give your best," he adds. "The audience should be brave and ready to experiment just like us," Barot sums up.