Rez Abbasi - electric guitar, sitar-guitar, acoustic
Gary Versace- Hammond organ
Danny Weiss - drums, tabla
Kiran Ahluwalia - Indian vocals.
Guest's include:
Dave Liebman - soprano saxophone
Rudresh Mahanthappa - alto saxophone
Marc Mommaas - tenor/soprano saxophones.
Rez Abbasi is also a member in the following working groups:
Rudresh Mahanthappa's Indo-Pak Coalition and Dakshina Ensemble,
Dave Phillip's Freedance,
Dave Pietro Group,
Sunny Jain Collective and the
Kiran Ahluwalia Group
Influences
I'll try to do this in one breath: Charlie Parker, Keith Jarrett, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Jim Hall, Pandit Ravi Shanker, Ustad Alla Rakha,
Shakti, Jack Dejohnette, Steve Coleman, Greg Osby, Gary Thomas, Andrew Hill, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Hadan,
Miles Davis, Bela Bartok, Igor Stravinsky, Paul Hindemith, Claude Debussy, Joe Lovano, Vince Mendoza, Wes Montgomery, Ralph Towner, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kenny Wheeler, Bill Frisell, Allan Hollsworth, Donald Fagen, John Abercrombie, Chick Corea, John Scofield, Peter Sprague, Joe Diorio, Mohammad Ali, Gandhi, Rush, U2 and many many many more!!! Had to breath!
Sounds Like
"Stimulating new music. Is this soul-jazz, fusion, Indian music, post-bop or world fusion? The answer has to be: All of them and none of them. Well worth several listens." * * * * 4 Stars - Scott Yanow (AllMusicGuide).................................................................“An amazing guitarist....unique and beautiful music - and best of all - very original...I’m really impressed.” - Pat Metheny ................................................................................"A uniquely virtuosic approach, which often peppers carefully constructed melodies with cascading flurries of notes to great effect." (Best of 2006)
- John Kelman (All About Jazz)................................................................................"A totally successful blend of two complex musical genres, namely jazz and Indian music. A journey through uncharted territory achieving a result unparalleled in today's jazz/world music scene!" - Peter Kuller - Jazz Radio Adelaide 101.5fm
Rez Abbasi's new recording Bazaar, is now available through Abstractlogix.com, Amazon.com or CDbaby.com. It is also available at Borders Books and J&R Music
............................................................................................................................................................................................. Born on the Indian Sub-Continent, removed at the age of four to the sounds of Southern California, schooled at the University of Southern California and the Manhattan School of Music as well as a pilgrimage in India under the tutorial of master percussionist, Ustad Alla Rakha, Rez Abbasi is a vivid synthesis of all the above stated influences and genres...................................
Making New York home for the past 18 years, Rez Abbasi is considered by many to be one of the foremost modern jazz guitar players on todays scene. With influence from the Indian sub-continent, Rez has developed a unique sound both as a composer and an instrumentalist...................................
"Invigorating and graceful playing, unpredictable and fascinating compositions... Abbasi is a rarity!" Jazziz.............................
Rez has honed his skills with performances throughout the world including multiple tours in Europe, Canada, the U.S., Mexico and India. He has performed or recorded with many jazz greats including, Grammy winner Ruth Brown, Peter Erskine, Kenny Werner, Barre Phillips, DD Jackson, Tim Hagans, Marc Johnson, Billy Hart, Michael Formanek, Marvin 'Smitty' Smith, Gary Thomas, Rick Margitza, Dave Douglas, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Tony Malaby, Shahid Ali, George Brooks, Greg Osby, Marilyn Crispell, Pandit Ronu Majumdar, Pandit Kadri Gopalnath, Pandit Viswa Mohin Bhatt, and a host of others............................
With five albums of original compositions under his belt, Rez continues to garner new groups of musicians to help his musical concepts come to life. 20th Century Guitar reviewed his latest CD as, "One of the best examples yet of how to merge Indian music with jazz...Snake Charmer really breaks new ground."......................................
Snake Charmer is a metaphor for the meditational practice of Kundalini Yoga. As we meditate we charm the life energy that rises like a snake. According to the great Saints and Yogi's, eventually a tranformation of the mind takes place and we live in continual Bliss. The group Snake Charmer is guitarist Rez Abbasi's latest venture. It began in 2001 as a trio consisting of guitar-organ-drums for the purposes of uniting the music of jazz with other elements, specifically Indian/Pakistani Music. With the addition of Indo/Canadian Juno winning vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia, this quartet has become one of the most creative and diverse groups blending Jazz with Indian/Pakistani music and more...........................
Snake Charmer has toured in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Canada and the U.S. The groups debut CD "Snake Charmer" made a large impact when it hit in 2005. Reviews including descriptions as "Ground Breaking", "Fascinating", and "Miraculous" have been written multiple times. The album also made a number of 'top ten CDs of the year' lists.................................
Rez recently signed a deal with the Zoho label for this groups 2nd CD, Bazaar.
As the group consists of four core members, there are a variety of guests on the albums.
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Rez Abbasi's Snake Charmer's Friend Space (Top 16)
Thanks for the Add, I really appreciate it, I am delighted to have you as a friend! I am enjoying the music and the great playing in yourspace. Yuichi Akita
Hi Rez I'm going to N.Y. the 16 of May for ten days. Are you playing these days? I'd like to hear and see you again. BIG HUG from Madrid. Abrazo Fuerte!!!!
Do you remember me after our brief encounters so many years ago now? I came across a CD of yours today in someone's collection so I thought I'd stop by & say hi. Hope all is well in your world.
i just found out my "modern memory" cd…thx to my friend who gave it back to me!!! i wish i could have your new albums (new for me, it's impossible to find your music in france!). i already have "third ear" too… wish you the best, hope i'll hear you in south of france soon!
Hey Rez - saw you play a while back with Kiran Ahluwahlia and your guitar playing blew me away. I've picked up your albums and love them all! Thanks for the great music!
Thanks for the add...you've been a huge influence on me since I saw you play Toronto on the Snake Charmer tour...I'm still trying to figure out some of that microtonal shit you explained to me between sets! Keep making great music.
I don't know how one goes about it, but it would be great to see you return to Montreal for the Jazz Fest, this time with Snake Charmer! Seems like a natural.
hello rez!im still having a big smile in my face.was great see you and kiran again and share the music.take a lot of care. I hope not to wait another 3 years to see you again man! keep in touch. borat
Hi Rez, thanks for ur music. I was listening to your CD, really dig it! i'm gonna pass to the people in Algeria, hope we'll be playing together very soon, in sha Allah!! Salam, peace Pablo
