Sunday, July 17, 2005, 5:00 pm

This concert is supported, in part, by funds received from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council’s Arts Activities Support (AAS) Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, the American Express Foundation's Global Volunteer Action Fund (GVAF) Grant, the Minnesota State Arts Board’s Series Presenter Support (SPS) Grant, and the COMPAS/United Arts’ General Fund Grant. This concert is co-sponsored by the Department of Music at the University of Saint Thomas, Saint Paul and KFAI "Fresh Air" Radio (90.3 FM in Minneapolis and 106.7FM in Saint Paul).

Venue:

The OEC Auditorium
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul Campus

Tickets:

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Ustad Rashid Khan is one of the torch bearers of the new generation of vocalists, carrying on with rare poise and aplomb, the tradition of excellence in Hindustani vocal music. Born in 1966, he was trained under the Gurukul system (the tradition of the student living with the Guru for several years for undergoing rigorous training) by his grand uncle, the great maestro of the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana (stylistic school or tradition), Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan - the young Rashid studied with the Ustad from the age of six, first at home and subsequently at the Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata. His musical development and prowess have been nothing short of phenomenal.
Rashid’s Alap (free form solo improvisation) is highly imaginative, his Layakari (polyrhythmic play) pulsating, and his powerful, lightning-swift Taans (ultra-fast musical passages) emerge like rippling cascades. His Raga (melodic template - the basis of Indian classical music) delineation in the Alap is traditional in its finely etched detailing; in the Firat (musical movements) he has an uncanny ability to execute movements that are complex and swift. While maintaining the grammatical contours of the Raga, its ethos and colors are brought to life with rare artistry. Little wonder, then, that Rashid has been hailed as a worthy successor to the great voices of the past. Ustad Rashid Khan was famously described by none other than Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (India’s most well known vocalist from the previous generation) as "an assurance for the future of Indian vocal music."

Pandit Anand Gopal Bandopadhyay is from a family of musicians of the Vishnupur Gharana of West Bengal. His grandfather was the state musician of Manipur. After receiving his initial training from his father, Pandit Bandopadhyay became the disciple of Pandit Mahadeo Prasad Mishra of the Benares Gharana. He started playing professionally when he was thirteen. Pandit Bandopadhyay was associated with the All India Radio and later with Delhi University for about seven to eight years.

Jyoti Goho had his intial training under the guidance of Late Sanat Bannerjee and, thereafter, under Shri Biren Bose. Later, he became a disciple of Shri A.T.Kanan. Sri Goho developed the art of playing harmonium under the tutelage of Shri Deb Kumar Bannerjee. Aided by his knowledge of vocal music, he bloomed into a competent and sensitive harmonium accompanist. The legendary Hindustani vocalist, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi regards "very highly as an artist" who is "extremely supportive as a harmonium accompanist." His ability to understand and adjust according to the mood and spirit of the performance has made Jyoti popular amongst all the eminent vocalists of the current generation. He has performed extensively in India and enthralled audiences in USA in ten different tours with ITC-SRA. Sri Goho is a fulltime senior faculty of SRA, and has recorded six CDs.

The OEC Auditorium is located in the campus of the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul on Cleveland Ave, in the block between Ashland and Portland Avenues. Parking lot H, located at the intersection of Cretin and Summit Avenues is the best bet for free weekend parking.

Map of the Saint Paul Campus of the University of Saint Thomas.
The OEC Auditorium is Building 4 in the campus map. Please use parking lot H only, for free weekend parking.