Dave Balen meets tabla master Zakir Hussain

Posted by on Jul 4, 2014

Dave Balen meets tabla master Zakir Hussain

Dave met the great tabla master (and one of his heroes)  Zakir Hussain at the Oleron Jazz Festival in France. Dave says “It was a great display of musicianship last night at the Oloron Jazz festival. Zakir was playing in duo with Oud player and vocalist Dhafer Yousef. He was very nice, I gave him a copy of our album Global as a thank you for all the pleasure his playing has given me over the years. I was embarrassed to say that I played a little tabla on one of the tracks. He joked that he played a little tabla too… I was very struck by how Zakir had integrated extra tablas, little tuned drums and percussion into his playing last night so it was very varied and interesting. Tablas plus. The technique as ever was formidable and impeccable, but his adaptability to the different musical environments ( so many) he plays in always impresses me. I mentioned that I was fortunate to meet and do a few classes with his dad the great Ustad Alla Rakha, best known I suppose for 30 years accompanying Ravi Shankar. It surprised him to meet an aging muso at a concert in Oloron who knew his dad! Alla Rakha flew the flag for the tablas in the west and taught Zakir from a very early age.  For this and all his other many achievements I and many others are eternally grateful.”    ...

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‘A distinctive group sound and philosophy’ – theJazzMann reviews Interplay at Warwick Arts Centre

Posted by on Jun 13, 2014

‘A distinctive group sound and philosophy’ – theJazzMann reviews Interplay at Warwick Arts Centre

Jazz critic Ian Mann has given a glowing report of Interplay’s recent performance at Warwick Arts Centre. He endorses the band’s musical approach and individual creativity. Read the whole review here. There aren’t many people writing about jazz like this, who invest time and effort in attending to local and regional artists as well as the big names. Those that do are much sought after, and we appreciate the care and attention of people like Ian in trying to evaluate and promote a wider interest in this great music at all levels. If you want to be sure of knowing about our future gigs please join our mailing list – just put your email address in the box at the bottom of this...

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Dave Balen Sonnymoons at the 606

Posted by on Jun 21, 2013

Dave on tabla at the 606 Interplay’s drummer Dave Balen found his London business trip took a surprising turn when he was asked to sit in with the legendary British bassist Peter Ind and friends at the 606 Club. Himself an old friend of Peter’s, Dave was delighted to be invited to take part in the gig, arranged as part of the 606’s impressive 25th anniversary celebrations. By pure co-incidence Dave was packing a new set of tablas he had just acquired! He was naturally eager to try them out and this provided a memorable opportunity. Club owner Steve Rubie was on flute, his brother Peter on guitar and someones else (unknown – apologies!) on oud.  Their rendition of  ‘Sonnymoon For Two’ was impromptu, fresh and eclectic – just the way  Dave likes it! This year Peter Ind celebrates his 85th birthday. His extraordinary career spans over 60 years, virtually concurrent with the whole evolution of modern and contemporary jazz. Among his musical associates are Lennie Tristano, Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz from the US, and Louis Stewart, Stephane Grappelli and Martin Taylor among the European notables. At times a recording engineer, record producer, club owner, painter and author, Peter’s work constitutes a substantial archive, and he clearly isn’t done yet! For more insight into this amazing musician visit Peter Ind....

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