Cafe Classico Season Opening Concert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 12, 2016

Exotic North Indian Raga Music to Dazzle Audiences at Café Classico Opening Concert

Enjoy South Asian classical music like you have never heard before at Langley Community Music School’s (LCMS) upcoming Concerts Café Classico concert, coffee, and commentary at 2:30 pm Sunday afternoon, September 25, 2016. One of Canada’s most exciting musicians, Rod Thomas Squance, will play his one-of-a-kind, custom-built “raga marimba” (which allows him to play seated on the floor) along with distinguished soloist Abbas Janmohamed on the traditional tabla drums.

Celebrating the great rhythmic complexity and flowing lyricism of Indian music, the Squance-Janmohamed duo will be taking a fresh and highly entertaining approach to the centuries-old tradition of North Indian, Hindustani classical music, while preserving its authenticity.

“This deeply personal and intimate music is very sophisticated yet entertaining to hear and see. It appeals very well to audiences who enjoy Western classical music,” says Squance. “The music typically follows a format that begins with a delicate exploration of the melodic potential of a raga. As the performance progresses, each movement is faster than the previous, until the music reaches a flurry of sustained rhythmic excitement.”

The event starts at 2:30 pm with a pre-concert conversation with the Squance-Janmohamed duo hosted by LCMS artistic director Elizabeth Bergmann. This commentary will highlight anecdotal stories from the performers and insights about this fresh and exhilarating music, as well as delve into the invention and development of Squance’s globally-unique “raga marimba,” which provides more visual and musical balance with the tabla. There will be a short break with coffee and refreshments, before the performance from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Rod Thomas Squance is a renowned international performer and one of Canada’s most exciting musicians. Beyond his performances on his custom-built “raga marimba,” Squance is a soloist and freelance percussionist in chamber, orchestral, jazz and world music settings, and is equally comfortable playing jazz vibraphone. His performances can be heard on CBC national radio and television broadcasts. Squance holds a doctoral degree from the University of Miami, has served on the faculty of the Banff Centre for the Arts, and currently teaches ethnomusicology and percussion at the University of Calgary. Visit rodthomassquance.com.

Toronto-born Abbas Janmohamed has been playing the tabla since the age of nine. Growing up in Calgary, Janmohamed is a two-time recipient of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Arts Fellowship Award and had the opportunity to study classical table in India, learning to embrace innovative cross-cultural collaborations, while also placing great emphasis on preserving the integrity and authenticity of this classical Indian percussion. He graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce, and holds an MBA from York University.

“It is going to be a musically stunning concert,” says LCMS Artistic Director Elizabeth Bergmann. “I am certain the audience will enjoy this dynamic duo, as they present a unique and approachable introduction to this genre of music that will also satisfy the most ardent lovers of the traditional Indian classical form. Rod and Abbas are captivating players, drawing an audience in and engaging them from beginning to end as they share their excitement and joy of this improvised music.”

Tickets for this Concerts Café Classico event are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. Those who want to save 15% off regular ticket prices may be interested in a Seasons Pass (which includes 6 concerts) at $92 for adults, $77 for seniors, and $59 for students. A Concerts Café Classico flex pass is also available that gives access to any four concerts in the series for $65 adults and $54 seniors. Additional discounts for subscribers feature 10% off for friends and family single tickets. Call the box office at 604-534-2848. The Rose Gellert Hall is located at 4899 207 Street, Langley, BC.

ABOUT LANGLEY COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL
Langley Community Music School (LCMS) is a non-profit organization and registered charity that is committed to providing the highest quality of musical education to students of all ages and levels, from early learning to pre-professional and adult programs. With the support of the community, LCMS has become one of the largest non-profit music schools in the province, earning both national and international acclaim for their comprehensive and innovative programs. Learn more about LCMS programs, scholarships and bursaries.

The Langley Community Music School hosts multiple musical concerts from October to May, including the Rose Gellert Hall Series, a Saturday evening concert featuring renowned Canadian and international musicians, as well as the Concerts Café Classico Series, a Sunday afternoon concert series featuring stellar local and touring musicians playing classical, jazz or contemporary works.

Visit langleymusic.com or call 604-534-2848.

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