Trilok Gurtu In-depth Biography
The musical traditions of the eastern and western worlds are bridged through the improvisations of Bombay, India-born percussionist/vocalist Trilok Gurtu}. Gurtu's mastery of post-bop jazz has not gone unnoticed. Downbeat} magazine named him "best percussionist" in three critic and popularity polls and proclaimed, "musically, the world is his stage". Jazz magazine, Straight No Chaser} took a similar view, writing, "this music has a transcendental quality and removes any obstacles that lie between western and eastern improvised music." Gurtu}'s eclectic approach has enabled him to collaborate with some of the world's greatest musicians. A member of trumpeter Don Cherry}'s band from 1976 to 1978, Gurtu} has worked with such influential musicians as jazz guitarists Philip Catherine}, John McLaughlin}, Ralph Towner}, Pat Metheny} and Larry Coryell}, rock guitarist David Gilmore}, saxophonists Jan Garbarek} and Bill Evans}, percussionist Nana Vasconcelos}, jazz keyboardist Josef Zawinul} and classical pianists Katia} and Marielle Labeque}. Gurtu} was a member of acoustic jazz fusion group, Oregon, from 1984 to 1988. A native of Bombay, India, Gurtu }hails from a musical family. His grandfather was a well known sitar player and his mother, Shobha Gurtu}, was an influential singer of Indian classical music. Studying to play the tablas from the age of six, Gurtu} attracted international attention in the mid-1970s when he performed with Charlie Mariano} and John Tchicai}. In 1977, he accompanied vocalist Asha Bhosle} during her New York concerts. After touring and recording with Don Cherry} for two years, Gurtu} emigrated to Hambug, Germany in 1978. Shortly afterwards, he toured with Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine} and recorded an album, End Of August}, with Catherine} and Mariano}. In the summer of 1993, Gurtu} toured Europe in a duo with Josef Zawinul} and recorded an album, Crazy Saints}, with Zawinul} and Pat Metheny}. Gurtu} continues to teach drum clinics and perform at classical events with modern dancer Carolyn Carlson}. In the summer of 1998, he toured with Andy Summers} and Larry Coryell}. The year 2000 saw the release of African Fantasy}. Beat of Love} followed the next spring. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
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