Phil Kaplan (Zoom guitar & vocal), Shuchita Rao (vocal), Jay Scheffler (Harmonica & vocal) and Grantley Smith (Drums) came together to present a set of original tunes and arrangements of compositions from the Indian Classical and Americana repertoire, in an effort to explore similarities and differences that exist between the two traditions with respect to melody, rhythm, form, and improvisational structures.

The event was part of the Learnquest Music Festival.  It was held at the Academy of Creative Arts on Sunday, March 25. The program started with a Blues Song – On the Road Again by the western musicians while Shuchita added her improvisations set to Rag Dhani. She included lyrics from a Kumaoni Folk song from Himachal Pradesh. Next came a composition in Jhinjothi where the western musicians provided their own improvised accompaniment. Rag Jog and Kirvani was presented along with July Rain. 

The presentation was interspersed with Q and A where the audience and artists were trying to understand where the styles merged and where they diverged.  “The sound of Phil Kaplan’s guitar reminds me of  the Rudra Veena, a most ancient Indian string instrument” said Shuchita Rao. 

A member of the audience pointed out that all the Ragas chosen where from Kafi That.  There was a discussion on where that intersperses well with the Blues.  “This is an experiment for us “ said Phil Kaplan.  “We just wanted to see where it goes”.  People were fascinated with the Harmonica and the beautiful sounds that the musician was able to produce. 

There was a discussion on should fusion be allowed. “Purists perhaps will not like it. It is the purists who keep the traditions alive and hence it is great that they exist. For us it is really exciting to do this” said Phil Kaplan. 

Overall it was  a presentation with wonderful music and thoughtful discussions. A great way to begin a music festival.