Musical Masala

Autorickshaw is a genre-bending, post-fusion powerhouse world-renowned for its seamless and cool-sounding blend of Indian classical music, jazz, pop and live-looping technology. Their music lies on the cultural cutting-edge and the world has taken notice with three JUNO nominations for World Music Album of the Year and numerous awards worldwide. Their unique sound showcases the sultry, sophisticated vocals of Suba Sankaran, anchored by the rapid-fire basslines and beatboxing of Dylan Bell over a bed of intense tabla grooves by Ed Hanley. The group’s distinctive sound could only come from musicians with deep roots in India and the West. The group has toured Canada, the US, the UK, Europe, Nepal and India.

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Trichy Sankaran had an illustrious teaching career as the founder of South Indian Music Studies at York University since 1971. All the members of Autorickshaw have studied under Trichy Sankaran and the audience will see this musical masala in action, featuring solo and ensemble performances and including original compositions by both Autorickshaw and Trichy Sankaran. 

Trichy Sankaran is known internationally for his rhythmic dexterity, tonal nuance and consummate mastery of the mrdangam, the traditional double-headed drum of classical South Indian music. He has appeared at major festivals on four continents and in his 70-plus years of concert experience in Karnatak music, he has performed with all of India’s classical music masters. In addition to traditional settings, he has played with jazz and electronic ensembles, gamelan and other world music groups. He has numerous awards and album credits to his name. 

He has been hailed as “a fabulous musician” by the New York Times and The Globe and Mail, who said, “Sankaran took virtuosity to its most vertiginous heights, articulating with indescribable sleight of hand and a wealth of liquid sound at astonishing speed.”

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