MUMBAI: Australian guitar virtuoso Frank Gambale is all set to perform in Mumbai on 4 May 2010.
Gambale will be joined by well known bassist Stu Hamm, and drummer Joel Taylor as a part of The Frank Gambale Electric Band. The prolific musicians are being brought down by Sandeep Chowta Projects.
Speaking about Gambale’s visit, an excited Sandeep Chowta said, “I think it will be an extension of what happened with the Scott Henderson Concert. Frank (Gambale) has been doing acoustic concerts lately, and he was keen on doing a gig with the electric band,” he told radioandmusic.com
For those who don’t know, Frank Gambale is a prolific guitar player and is known for introducing path breaking techniques like that of sweep picking into the world of guitar playing.
Frank Gambale, like Scott Henderson (who also performed in Mumbai recently), was also a part of the legendary Jazz ensemble Chick Corea and the Electric Band
The musicians accompanying Gambale are stalwarts in their own right. While bassist Stu Hamm is known for playing with musicians like that of Joe Satriani, drummer Joel Taylor has performed with legends like Allan Holdsworth and Yanni.
An avid jazz music enthusiast himself, Sandeep Chowta admits that he has been a Gambale junkie for a long time now.
Recalling how he discovered Gambale’s music, Chowta says, “I heard him on Chick Corea’s record Eye of the Beholder and was like ‘who the hell is this guitar player?’. Later, I discovered Frank Gambale’s LIVE at ‘The Baked Potato’ which captures the complete madness of Frank Gambale. I remember there was an interesting note on it – which said, ‘Pardon us, but we are not going to have any regard for any radio airplay with this album. Chowta says, “That CD was a complete shred fest.”
Needless to say, this concert can be counted as an ultimate treat for guitar enthusiasts and jazz/rock music lovers, he says.
Interestingly, this will be Gambale’s third visit to India. He had earlier performed with French-born American bassist Bunny Brunel and later with Italian classical guitar virtuoso Maurizio Colonna in 2007.
CONCERT DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Time: 8:00pm – 11:30pm
Location: St. Andrews Auditorium, Bandra west, Mumbai.
Tickets available at the St Andrews Auditorium from the April 26, 2010.
Price Rs 1500 & Rs 1000.
MUSICALLY SPEAKING
“I was fortunate to have Frank Gambale play three songs on my forthcoming album,” Chowta says.
Recalling working with his idol, he says, “We had recorded a song on my laptop in Coorg, Orange County – he even gifted me one of his guitars on my birthday,” he adds with enthusiasm.
The music scene lately has been embellished by some of the best live acts, and Chowta believes it will grow “provided everybody comes together.”
For a long time, Chowta has been hosting some of the best jazz acts without any sponsor backing. He maintains that sponsors haven’t been forthcoming and cannot be depended on when one plans such concerts months in advance. “But I really value the fact all these musician friends have been very co-operative and lessened my burden to a great extent,” he said.
Since a majority of listeners attending these concerts are musicians, Chowta believes that, “The musician folks need to be around and meet such musicians in person- as they can easily point out the areas where a musician goes wrong, or where he/she can improve.”
Recently, Chowta even arranged workshop by acclaimed drummer like William Kennedy, but rues that not all understand the value of having these amazing musicians.
For more info mail at sandeepchowtaprojects@gmail.com Or call Sunny 09819630938 / Samrat 09920385961
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