On Saturday December 5 at 7:30pm at the Latchis Theatre at 50 Main Street in Brattleboro, VT Root Cellar Sound in collaboration with Latchis Arts will be presenting Joel Veena's show entitled 'Ragas & Sagas'. The performance features traditional north Indian ragas and Joel's original compositions played on the 20-stringed Hindustani slide guitar alongside dynamic storytelling; fascinating tales from the lore of North Indian classical music. He will be accompanied on stage by Yousuf Kerai, playing the tabla. Advance tickets are discounted and available now online from JoelVeena.com/tickets .
Since 2007, Joel 'Veena' Eisenkramer has been traveling between his native Vermont and India to study and perform Hindustani classical music on the 20-stringed Indian slide guitar. Today he is one of the leading exponents of this instrument in the world. In 2023, the government of India publicly acknowledged Joel for his efforts writing "[Joel's] unwavering dedication and enthusiasm have paved the way for a deeper appreciation of this art form. [His] commitment to preserving and promoting Indian classical music inspires us all." With more than 12 albums independently released, Joel is one of the most prolific contemporary artists in the Indian classical genre. His performances have been noted for their welcoming and explanatory quality; pieces are presented with their cultural and historical context so as to open the door for new audiences unfamiliar with Indian classical music. His original compositions, often inspired by the ragas he's studied, have been praised for their use of classical theory and aesthetic while creating toe-tapping, memorable melodies approachable by all. He has presented lecture-demonstrations at a number of schools and universities around the globe (including Smith College, the California College of the Arts and Delhi Public School). Born and raised around Brattleboro, he is performing in town for the first time in over 5 years.
Accompanying Joel Veena on the tabla, the popular north Indian drums known for traditional and fusion music around the globe, is Yousuf Kerai, a versatile musician and academic hailing from Karachi, Pakistan. Kerai plays in the Ajrada style of tabla-playing and learned from the late Ustad Khursheed Hussain of Karachi. He has performed widely for the last 25 years in both the USA and Pakistan. In Pakistan, he led the ensemble Tarz Group, releasing an album of instrumental music, 'The Essence of South Asia', in 2015. Later serving as the Founding Director of the Center for South Asian Music at Habib University in Karachi, Kerai recently moved to the United States and is currently teaching mathematics at the Northfield Mount Hermon School.
"I'm excited to share Ragas & Sagas with my hometown," says Joel about the upcoming concert. Earlier in the year, Joel was on tour in India with the same show and performed to full houses at notable venues like the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi and the Bangalore International Center.
The December 5th performance will also feature a staple of Indian hospitality: masala chai brewed by Joel especially for the concert. Sage's Pub will be on site serving a full range of libations, alcoholic and non. The show runs approximately 75 minutes and is suitable for all ages. It will be theater #2 and is fully accessible. For tickets and more information on the concert, plus links to Joel Veena's music, visit: JoelVeena.com/tickets