BABU

Based in Cape Town

The Quartet Babu uses Indian classical inspired composition with Jazz and Western classical idiosyncrasies. The compositions make use of Ragas and Talas as well as Jazz forms and harmonies. The music searches for the heart of the raga's tale, its eternal sound sentiment. Using the language of the Tabla. The band is rhythmically charged, creating pulses within the pulse and rhythms shifting in and out of phase, setting alight an ecstatic melodic improvisation. The word is out on this fresh ensemble, relentlessly pushing their musical abilities and engaging audiences in an ineffable dialogue.

"The colours and fusion of this young quartet reflect the South African mosaic. A union of genres, of rhythms and of sounds without compromise, virtuoso exploration of the major disciplines of improvisation seamlessly bringing together the traditions of Jazz and Indian Classical music. Babu sounds out the cultures with an intensity and staggering ease. One thinks of Shakti or Mahavishnu orchestra, but also hear Miles, Coltrane and Dolphy." - Lorraine Soliman (Jazz Magazine)

The binding force that brings this band of four highly imaginative and proficient musicians together is respect. Respecting the music and sharing a love for some of the most invigorating improvisational sounds in Jazz over the last 60 years. Drawing inspiration from the searching spirit in Jazz, and its ability to tap into the more complex realms of human experience, the subconscious, perhaps mystical world. This desire to look into the depth of shared musical experience leads us to investigate the improvisational practices of Indian Classical music, which has had an extensive history with spirituality in music.

With great faith, love and a willing audience, the performance occasion can bring our minds together to test the depth of ecstasy in music and leave the room charged with exhilaration, respect and love for all life.

MEMBERS:
Kesivan Naidoo - Drums and cymbals
Reza Khota - Guitar
Shane Cooper - Bass
Ronan Skillen - Tabla, Extended Percussion and Didgeridoo

Fresh from performing at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2008 to an enthusiastic audience that filled the auditorium and gave a standing ovation, Babu launched their much anticipated album entitled "Up Roots" at the SABC Studios in May 2008 in Sea Point, Cape Town.

The band has made a strong impression amongst listeners of different age groups and backgrounds. While providing a fresh perspective in their compositions Babu reflect on the work of great fusion bands like Weather Report or Mahavishnu Orchestra.

INDIVIDUAL PROFILES

Kesivan Naidoo
Kesivan is the 2009 Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Jazz. He is one of South Africa’s leading young musicians, frequently touring and performing in several parts of the world. He was born in 1979 in East London and started playing drum set age 10. He became principal percussionist with both the Orchestra and Drummer for the Big Bands at Hudson Park High School (1992 -1996). In 1993 The Orchestra went on tour to Germany, France and England.

He made his professional debut in 1994 and was a member the National Youth Jazz Orchestra 1995, 1999 and 2000. The National Youth Band of 1999 which toured New York. In 1997 he enrolled for Jazz studies at the University of Cape Town. Completed BMus in 2000and BMus Honours in 2002 (Performance and Composition) First Class.

He was the first South African to perform with the Kennedy Centre Jazz Ambassadors during their South African tour of 1998.

Awards:
• SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition 2000. Later took up the scholarship in India to study under Prof. Sanjoy Banbopadhyay.
• UCT Honours Counsel Scholarship (2002).
• Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Jazz (2009).

Performances
North Sea Jazz Festival Holland (2002); Chillimontana Festival Italy (2003); Cape Town International Jazz Festival (2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008); Swedish Jazz Celebration Stockholm (2007); Leipzig Jazz Festival (2007).

Other projects
TRIBE; GOLLIWOG; CLOSET SNARE; RESTLESS NATIVES; and BEAT BAG BOHEMIA.

Shane Cooper
Shane was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 1985, and graduated from UCT in 2008 with a degree in jazz performance. He began playing guitar at age 13 and soon moved to the electric bass. His early interests were in rock, jazz and funk music. He joined his high school jazz big band, and played with different musicians and groups at folk clubs and jam sessions around PE.

At age 16 he began playing professionally with The Raw Materials, playing jazz and funk. A few years later he developed an interest in the double bass, and began teaching himself to play.


Reza Khota
Reza was born in Johannesburg in 1977 and was introduced to the guitar by his father. He began his formal training with Jeremy Karodia at the age of ten, studying rock and classical guitar as well as chord theory. He later studied classical guitar and improvisation with Faizel Boorany, who fired his enthusiasm for experimental jazz, the classical avant-garde and progressive guitar music.

After enrolling for his BMus degree at Wits University, he furthered his classical guitar studies under David Hewitt. Reza has since received master-classes from Norwegian guitarist Vegard Lund
and the Austrian crossover guitarist/composer Helmut Jasbar

Awards
• Numerous SAMRO bursaries and merit awards
• First prize in the National Classical Guitar Competition (1998), adjudicated by the renowned Czech guitarist/composer Stepan Rak. He also received master- classes from the maestro during his visit to South Africa.
Reza now holds a BMus degree with a distinction in performance, a Performers Certificate with distinction from the Trinity College of Music and a Masters degree with distinction from Wits University.

Reza performs regularly on the South African circuit and has extended his musical prowess to include Jazz and Indian Classical music.

Ronan Skillen
Ronan was born in 1980 in Northern Ireland. His career as a musician started at age 10 in Germany, where he played French horn in three orchestras for seven years. He was then introduced to the Australian didgeridoo by Ghanaian master
drummer Emmanuel Gomado which sparked many new avenues and collaborations.

After much self-teaching and musical travels Ronan settled in Cape Town and began playing tabla in 2002. He was invited to study the table in Delhi. His teacher, Ustad Akram Khan, is a master of a very rich and intricately technical North Indian style known as the Ajarara Gharana. As a disciple of the musical style and the table, Ronan regularly visits India to further his studies.

Ronan’s musical career has evolved through all genres of music with specific focus on jazz / world music.

Major influences: Shakti and Trilok Gurtu which led him to explore a fusion of tabla, percussion and didgeridoo by means of a hybrid percussion kit designed by Ronan. This allows for a rich textural variety as well as an intriguing versatility.

Ronan has performed in SA, Europe and India.