This concert will feature a tabla solo by Jorge Ramiro followed by a sitar recital by Galen Pasen on the sitar, accompanied by Jorge Ramiro on the tabla.

Jorge Ramiro

Jorge Ramiro grew up in Mexico and moved to the U.S. at the age of 18. Ramiro holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the State University of New York. He has been studying tabla and classical Indian music since the age of 19, when he did a semester abroad at Pune University and began learning tabla under Pandit Ramdas Palsule. Since 1998 he has been a disciple of Pandit Samir Chatterjee, one of India's most influential tabla players from the Farukhabad Gharana. Ramiro performed in classical Indian music concerts in India, the United States, Mexico, France, Australia and Hong Kong. He has also recorded and performed with pop artist Natalie Imbruglia and in the late 90's as a member of the Mexican rock band, Botellita de Jerez, with whom he toured and did live TV performances. In late 2009 he completed the score of a documentary entitled 5000 Metros.

Galen Passen - sitar

Galen Passen is a sitarist, composer, and visual artist based in Brooklyn, NYC. His devotion to training within the traditional formats of hindustani music have provided him with respect and love for the ever unfolding wisdom of sound. He lived in New Delhi between 2009 and 2017 where he received training from Dr. Gopal Krishan Shahji. Since returning to New York he now continues training under masterful sitar exponent, Abhik Mukherjee

Besides hindustani music he performs experimental compositions, And regularly collaborates with various music forms and artistic mediums. He has had the privilege to work with the Pittsburgh Opera, Brooklyn Raga Massive, and now the Chhandayan Center for Indian Music. He was awarded an Individual Artist Grant from The Saratoga Arts Council which he used to conceive and launch Folk Song, an emergent ensemble inspired by the forms of hindustani and Irish Trad.

Jorge and Galen - Sitar and Tabla

Jorge and Galen - Sitar and Tabla