JAZZ ORIENT Led By Blind Sitar Composer Baluji Shrivastav OBE To Play Luton Show

Hat Factory Arts Centre, Luton - 19th July 2024

Tickets on sale now - HERE

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World fusion ensemble Jazz Orient are delighted to announce that they will play a special Luton headline show at the Hat Factory Arts Centre on 19th July 2024, with tickets on sale now.

Jazz Orient are led by blind musician and composer Baluji Shrivastav OBE (sitar), with Linda Shanovitch (vocals), Alexander Hill (piano), Sukhdeep Dhanjal (tabla), Michael Parker (drums), and fellow blind musician Steve Feast (saxophone). Celebrating Latin, Indian, and Jazz music, they create a kaleidoscope of rhythms and melodies with intricate patterns of percussive footwork and graceful movements from Indian dance.

With six albums and several tours under their belt so far, guest artists have also included Fiaz Khan, Guy Barker, Andy Sheppard, Hossam Ramzy, Sakari Kukku, Talvin Singh, Mike Parker, Gerry Hunt, Andy Platt, and Eric Junkes.

The outfit recently released their new album Once Upon A Night, their first in 12 years, following stints in other projects and the disruption of the pandemic. By chance they found themselves in Leicester at the same time, with their instruments and an evening to kill, so they went out for dinner at a chaat house on Leicester’s Golden Mile, and then on to Chris Conway's Aloft Studio, recording 5 atmospheric world music improvisations.

Just like that, the old magic was still there. Their 33 year association across 7 albums and 1 single gave each of the musicians an instinct, or shared memory, for sensing what the other 2 might do at certain times. The album tracks are recorded in the order in which they were played. Then, as it was getting late, it was time for Baluji and Linda to go…

Featuring a dazzling array of instruments and full of surprises, music from Jazz Orient is for the heart, mind and soul. Recent performances include a headline show at the 2023 EFG London Jazz Festival and a sold out performance in The Elgar Room at The Royal Albert Hall.

Born in Usmanpur in Uttar Pradesh, band leader Baluji Shrivastav first studied music when he was sent away as a child to live and study at Ajmer Blind School after being blinded as a baby. He joined London’s multicultural world jazz ensemble Grand Union Orchestra in 1986, and has since recorded with many pop artists including Stevie Wonder, Massive Attack, Oasis, Boy George, Annie Lennox, Kylie Minogue, Doves, Kaiser Chiefs, Guy Barker and Andy Sheppard.

In 2008, Shrivastav established the Baluji Music Foundation, a London-based charity which aims to promote the understanding and enjoyment of music and performing arts from the Indian Sub-Continent in all its traditional and evolving forms.

The charity particularly welcomes the participation of disabled people in music, and in 2012 founded the Inner Vision Orchestra of blind and visually impaired musicians. That same year, Shrivastav performed at the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games alongside the British Paraorchestra and Coldplay.

Shrivastav was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to music.

Baluji Music Foundation also recently unveiled a groundbreaking report called ‘Blind to the Facts 2023’ to pave the way for inclusive practices in the UK Music Industry.

Listings information:
Venue: Hat Factory Arts Centre, 65 - 67 Bute Street, Luton, LU1 2EY
Date: 19 July 2024
Doors: 8pm
Price: £15 + 10% booking fee
Age Guidance: 12+ (suitable for all, guidance based on length of performance)

JAZZ ORIENT Led By Blind Sitar Composer Baluji Shrivastav OBE To Play Luton Show

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