The upcoming 37th international festival "Vilnius Jazz" has prepared an extremely strong program for lovers of contemporary jazz and improvisational music: on October 16-20, the hottest stars of this genre will be performing every night in the Vilnius Old Theater.
October 17 19 p.m. a project of rare color will be presented at the festival by one of New York's most innovative alternative music groups "Elder Ones", assembled by Indian vocalist Amirtha Kidambi.
The sources of inspiration for this ensemble range from the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, founded in 1965, a strong catalyst of the Chicago experimental scene that turned the careers of many jazz innovators), John and Alice Coltrane, Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders' legacy to Hindu religious songs, bhajans, and South Indian traditional music.
The unique color of the group is created by A. Kidambi's harmonica and theatrical vocals, which blend into the hypnotic jazz melodies of the ensemble. The bandleader grew up singing bhajan music to the accompaniment of a harmonium. She also delved into Bharatanatyam dance to traditional Indian music. This experience is evident in A. Kidambi's work, but the manifestations of Indian culture do not exhaust her identity.
The artist studied Western classical vocals, musicology and ethnomusicology at Brooklyn College and Columbia University, expressed herself as an interpreter of the works of contemporary academic music composers Robert Ashley, Luigi Nono and others. She was later drawn into New York's avant-rock scene and the improvisational music community.
Amirtha has participated in projects with New York improv stars Hamid Drake, Shahzad Ismaily, Trevor Dunn, Matana Roberts, Ingrid Laubrock, Tyshawn Sorey, Nick Dunston, Maria Grand, Ava Mendoza and many others.
Various art residencies, foundations and other organizations awarded this artist scholarships and commissions. Her works were played in New York's Carnegie Hall, MoMA PS1, Whitney Museum, Washington's Kennedy Center, famous JAV, German, Portuguese festivals.
In addition, the leader of the group is an activist of movements against social injustice, one of the founders of the organizations "South Asian Artists in Diaspora" and "Musicians Against Police Brutality". She has recorded soundtracks for the liberation struggle films of artist Suneil Sanzgiri.
Elder Ones musicians also believe in the power of music to achieve social justice. Their rebellious, socially engaged work is simmering with the energy of "punk", free jazz, avant-garde.
The band's third album, New Monuments, released this year, was inspired by the upheavals of the pandemic year, from racial protests to farmer revolts in India, and most of all, the unrest that shook New York after the tragic death of African-American George Floyd at the hands of a police officer. According to A. Kidambi, the title of the album "New Monuments" symbolizes the collapse of the old monuments of colonialism and the beginning of a new era.
All members of the group are important figures of the New York experimental music scene, versatile creators who break genre barriers with their work. Elder Ones has received rave reviews from The New York Times, Wire Magazine, Pitchfork, NPR, The Quietus, and more. A. Kidambi was recognized in critics' polls as a rising star in the vocal and composition categories, and Elder Ones in the jazz group category.
The ensemble performs intensively in the US and abroad, has appeared on many prestigious stages, including the Kennedy and Lincoln Centers, Moers, Big Ears, Rewire festivals.
The project is financed by the Lithuanian Council of Culture and Vilnius city municipality. Tickets for Vilnius Jazz 2024 events are distributed by Bilietai.lt. It is also possible to purchase subscriptions that will allow you to enter all festival events at a great discount.