FUSION ASIA BRACKNELL listings

Fusion Asia Bracknell (FAB) is the first festival of its’ kind in the UK as it brings together South Asian musicians who specialise in different genres for fans of live music. There will be a fusion of jazz, world music, classical, Bhangra, reggae and much more.

FAB is bringing together some of the biggest names in fusion sound on one stage including Trans-Global Underground who fuse house, dub, drum ‘n’ bass, hip hop, world rhythms and tribal beats to create an exhilarating experience which has seen audiences rocking since their inception in the early 1990’s. 4x4 are one of the UK’s leading Bhangra dance groups & they’re creating a new dance piece for FAB. Mixing Bhangra with Moulin Rouge with spectacular costumes, this will be a must-see promenade dance performance. The Dhol Foundation who have headlined major festivals such as WOMAD and have featured on soundtracks for movies such as Gangs of New York and Incredible Hulk will be bringing their unique dynamic energy to the festival. Alongside these musicians, the Bollywood Brass Band will be performing a blend of Hindi film soundtracks and Bhangra rhythms with influences from jazz, world music and dance remixes. One of the biggest selling artists in India, Raghu Dixit who has said that it is India and its’ people, the colours, fragrances, food and languages that have helped to influence and shape his music will be bringing his band who adorn colourful Lungis (sarongs), anklets and beads to the festival.

FAB has also commissioned two special performances which include Kawa Music of North India, who will be performing an inventive new show called Kawa Circus. This will feature live music, dance, puppetry, theatre and circus skills from a variety of dancers, street performers, acrobats & musicians. This family-orientated piece tells the story of an itinerant troupe of artists from a Rajasthan circus reflecting the artistic magic from another world through music and storytelling.

The second commission is called ‘The Nazrul Project’ - songs of the rebel poet by British-Asian clarinettist and composer, Arun Ghosh. He will be collaborating with British-Bengali vocalist, Sohini Alam. They will be performing the well loved songs of the Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary, Kazi Nazrul Islam. This commission will see the artists reworking and rearranging Nazrul's traditional Bengali songs for voice, clarinet, cello, double bass and drums, therefore bringing a free and vibrant rhythmic propulsion to these rebel songs.

There will be a whole host of other events and activities taking place at FAB including music, dance, visual arts and meet the artists workshops for children, young people and adults. Artists leading some of these workshops include 4x4, Bollywood Brass Band, Raghu Dixit and Kawa Music. Face painting and bouncy castles are just some of the other children’s activities that will be available on the day.

There will also be a yoga meditation tent and stalls selling henna and glitter tattoos, clothes and accessories, music, arts and crafts. One of the other festival highlights are the dishes from around the world including African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Indonesian and Indian cuisines will be served up by Asian Grub Foundation.

Further information at: www.fusionasia.co.uk

Profiles of artists at this event:

The Dhol Foundation

Raghu Dixit