GALITCHA (pronounced Ga-lee-cha) is a visionary ensemble that
performs original compositions based on Indian folk music, combined with influences
from jazz, world and North American folk. This versatile band has performed at
festivals, concerts, house concerts, school performances, workshops, weddings
and community halls. Some of their performances are enhanced by authentic East
Indian dinners prepared by the band.
The
word "galitcha" means "tapestry" and Galitcha is most certainly that. It's perhaps
the only Indian music band to feature a white tabla player and a white harmonium
player/vocalist. The tabla (and dhol) player is Shawn Mativetsky, a percussion
instructor at McGill University and a disciple of Pandit Sharda Sahai. The harmonium
player, and second vocalist, is Chris MacLean, a folk singer-songwriter from Wakefield
QC whose splendid range and versatility – and convincing pronunciation of Punjabi
- is showcased to full effect on the intricate Indian melodies. MacLean also plays
guitar and dulcimer. The third band-member is jazz flute and sax player, Linsey
Wellman, a graduate of the Carleton University jazz performance program, whose
other projects include the calypso group Kobo Town and the Sun Ra tribute Rakestar.
Rounding out the group
is group leader Kujlit Sodhi (Cool-jeet Soe-dee). Born into a musical family in
Amritsar in the Punjab region of India and raised in Montreal, Sodhi began studying
voice in his teens with teachers at Sikh temples - home to some of the most superbly
trained Indian musicians in the world, if you know to look. He was inspired to
pursue music full-time by a chance encounter with the late great, Nusrat Fateh
Ali Khan, for whom he became a favourite North American "jamming buddy."
This
harworking band has literally played all over the world, playing gigs at the Festival
au Désert in Timbouctou, Mali and Festival de Rabat and International Festival
de Tetouan in Morrocco. In fact, it is Galitcha's live performance that has earned
the group some of its most enthusiastic acclaim. Coleman Barkin of New York
City's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts called their show there "an
evening of love," adding "Galitcha is that rare blending of superb musicianship
and emotional connection ." Paul Emile Comeau of Penguin Eggs, named Galitcha
one of the top 10 live acts of 2003. |
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Calendar
at a Glance
(details on Calendar page)
MARCH
FRIDAY
MARCH 28
Pender Island Community Hall
Pender Island BC
SATURDAY MARCH 29
The Roxy
Gabriola Island, BC
SUNDAY MARCH 30
El Zocalo
Salt Spring Island, BC
APRIL
APRIL 1st til 4th
School performances
Surrey, Delta & Squamish, BC
SATURDAY APRIL 5th
RHYZOME
Vancouver, BC
SUNDAY APRIL 6th (Afternoon)
RHYZOME
Vancouver, BC
JUNE
June 27, 28,29
Old Songs Festival
Altamont, NY
ABOUT
THE FESTIVAL
in the DESERT in MALI
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