Mumbai Masala

Excerpts from The Mumbai Festival January 2009 New York City pianist Richard Bennett and "Times of India" recording artist Dhanashree Pandit-Rai met two years ago during Bennett's first tour of India. In addition to having great admiration for the other's musicianship they discovered that they shared the same Taurus traits of commitment and good humor. After doing some informal jams they decided to play together whenever possible. This year they added funky tabla maestro Pandit Kalinath Mishra to the group and performed at the Mumbai Festival as well as the Kala Ghoda Festival. The songs used are Hindustani classical and semi-classical (Thumri) compositions as well as several folk melodies. With a focus on the beauty of Dhanashree Pandit-Rai's voice and the plaintiveness of the songs, MUMBAI MASALA explores new paths in Indian music.