Trilok Gurtu at Stary Klasztor: a percussion virtuoso at Ethno Jazz Festival’s tenth anniversary

Over his 30-year career, Trilok has worked with many artists of the highest calibre. He is now one of contemporary jazz’s most influential musicians. His fusion of Indian music and jazz brought him worldwide fame.

Trilok Gurtu was born into a highly musical family in Bombay. He inherited his love of music from his mother, the celebrated Indian singer Shobha Gurtu. World music became his favourite genre, and he has performed and recorded with artists familiar to Ethno Jazz Festival audiences, including Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, Angelique Kidjo and Omara Portuondo, as well as throat-singing legends Huun Huur Tu.

His career began in the eighties, when he started working with John McLaughlin in The John McLaughlin Trio, staying with them for 4 years. In 1993, Trilok formed his own trio. Audiences were enchanted by compositions combining subtle Indian rhythms and singing with elements of contemporary jazz and rock. The band soon expanded into a quartet, and its tours extended to America’s coasts and the furthest corners of Europe.

Trilok Gurtu became a popular, regular visitor to many European and American cities. In the late 1990s, he toured worldwide and appeared at major festivals alongside rock greats such as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and REM, as well as world-music colleagues including Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal, Cesaria Evora and Salif Keita. Through his unique genius, which plays an important part in creating the finest work of fellow musicians such as John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, Dave Holland and Jan Garbarek, Trilok Gurtu has established himself as one of the world’s greatest artistic innovators.

Although his approach to playing and composing defies all classification, it is built on a solid, profound understanding of many of the world's musical styles. His compositions and sound are universal and personal, shaped by immense love for music and discipline. Every concert is a musical spectacle and a mystical experience, as audiences in Wrocław will discover this September.

The band will perform with:

TRILOK GURTU – percussion, voice

JONATHAN IHLENFELD CUNIADO – bass

JESSE MILLINER – piano & keyboards

FREDERIK KÖSTER – trumpet

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