Sameer Gupta - Drumset/Tabla in World/Jazz/Fusion Styles

Marc Cary - Piano/Rhodes/Keyboards/Laptop

Prasant Radhakrishnan - Carnatic Sax
Sameer Gupta - Drumset
David Ewell - Acoustic Bass

Motéma Music Releases the World Music Recording Debut of
Sameer Gupta's NAMASKAR on October 14, 2010

An inspirational group exploring traditional Indian Ragas, Folk Songs &
Bollywood classics

+ CD Release Celebration and Concert on October 19, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at
Harlem Stage

*a collaborative presentation with the Neighborhood Concert Series of the Weill Music
Institute at Carnegie Hall and Harlem Stage Family Series

A fresh and innovative approach towards jazz, Indian and soul music, Namaskar features
percussionist Sameer Gupta, leading a world-class ensemble featuring pianist Marc Cary
and Indian classical and modern jazz musicians

Marc Cary - Piano
Sameer Gupta - Drums and Tabla
David Ewell - Acoustic Bass

Marc Cary pianist / producer / composer
On this debut recording of his FOCUS Trio, pianist Marc Cary brings into sharp focus his many influences - from deep-feeling indigenous world rhythms to bop to classical lyricism. Cary's imaginative key-work, well known from his gigs with Stefon Harris, Betty Carter, Abby Lincoln, Roy Hargrove, and Wynton Marsalis, among others, gained him a recent nod from Down Beat as one of the four "most multi-dimensional" keyboard players on the scene today. His new release, FOCUS (June 27 Release, Motema Music) reveals those multi-dimensions in sensual living color.

David Boyce - Sax
Richard Howell - Sax (2000)
David Ewell - Bass
Sameer Gupta - Drums

"The music of The Supplicants is so much more than an intricately woven framework of sounds, beats, and melodies. It is an experience. The level of emotion with which they play is so deep, so personal, and the energy so pure that it is almost as if existence, or being itself, creeps most surprisingly yet receptively into our souls."
- Drew Foxman, All About Jazz

Sameer Gupta - Tabla, Arrangement
Arun Ramamurthy - Violin
Neel Murgai - Sitar

Prasant Radhakrishnan - Sax
Sameer Gupta - Drumset
David Ewell - Bass

VidyA is an adventurous new group that merges the virtuosity of Jazz with the melodic and rhythmic nuance of South Indian classical (Carnatic) music. Led by critically-acclaimed saxophonist, Prasant Radhakrishnan along with David Ewell (bass) and Sameer Gupta (Drums), VidyA has emerged with a soulful, penetrating sound that pushes the labels of "fusion" or "world music."

These three artists have an almost telepathic interplay, incorporating the forward motion of both Indian Classical and jazz rhythms while elaborating Carnatic ragas infused with melodic richness. The group weaves in and out of the two genres while all the time merging them into one. VidyA translates the language of Carnatic music into the idiom of Jazz.
VidyA's debut CD features eleven compositions from their extremely successful live repertoire, crafted from performing artist residencies and live performances over the past two years. Encompassing deep forays into Indian Classical ragas and jazz sensibilities, constantly building rhythmic and melodic intensity while always playing from the soul, VidyA's album brings the depth of their live performance to a studio album.

Sameer Gupta - Drums, Tabla
Stephen Kent - Didjeridu, Percussion, Cello Sintir, Animal Horns
Teed Rockwell - Touchstyle Fretboard aka Warr Guitar

Marc Cary’s Focus Trio, formed in 2000, has been blessed to create a sound that transcends the musical and cultural boundaries of “jazz.” Within the Focus Trio we have a rich body of history and culture that helps shape the core sound that we have; as a trio we are one.

“His wonderfully in-sync trio is rounded out by David Ewell on bass and Sameer Gupta on drums and tablas. The group 's playing is so cohesive, [it] feels like a song-cycle” - Ron Netsky (Rochester City Newspaper 8.23.06) - “[Cary’s] work with artists including trumpeter Roy Hargrove, vibraphonist Stefon Harris and singer Abbey Lincoln suggests that he’s well-respected by his peers and considered capable of just about anything.” - All About Jazz

Srinivas Reddy - Sitar, Sameer Gupta - tabla

Srinivas Reddy and Sameer Gupta are a dynamic young sitar and tabla duet dedicated to preserving the Hindustani classical music tradition of North India. SADHANA Foundation is proud to release their debut recording of live performances from their 2008 tour.

"Srinivas Reddy and Sameer Gupta have a traditional, fresh and inspired approach; as well as a remarkable rapport, they also bring a contemplative tinge to their art. Expect all the stunning musicality of instrumental Indian classical music as you've seen it before, as well as a depth that is a little more rare." - Gautam Tejas Ganeshan, Founder & Artistic Director, Sangati Center

"The first time I heard Srinivas play, I recall feeling distinctly that his tones had somehow lifted the audience, as if we were all being nourished by the music. On stage, Sameer is a force, both personally engaging to watch, and dynamic to listen to. Experience the tradition these musicians represent, as well as their personal interpretations, nuances and developments. They contribute much to the community in attendance." - Meklit Hadero, Director, Red Poppy Arthouse

Stefon Harris & Blackout

Shing02 - Faderboard
David Boyce - Sax, efx
Sameer Gupta - Drumset, Tabla