Surrey, BC—IN BRIEF: Attend the atmospheric candlelit show Josh Feinberg in Concert. Delight in the sounds of the sitar—infused with influences of Western classical and jazz music. Audiences around the world have been wowed by this accomplished musician’s ability to infuse this ancient Indian instrument with a modern twist. Hear traditional North-East Indian Ragas imbued with other musical styles. Enjoy an ambient, meditative, and spiritual journey! May 13, 8pm | Main Stage at Surrey Arts Centre Tickets $25
“Josh’s sensitive yet controlled handling of the instrument with touch, strokes and glides, and subsequent production of tonal and microtonal effects was a testament to his genius.” The Tribune, Chandigarh, India
APRIL 2022—Enjoy a gorgeous and atmospheric candlelit concert with Josh Feinberg, an innovative sitar player raised in New York. Josh carries forward the teachings of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, as well as Ust. Aashish Khan, Sri Alam Khan, Pt. Tejendra Majumdar, Dr. Peter Row, Dr. George Ruckert, Sri James Pomerantz, Sri Warren Senders and Smt. Vijaya Sundaram. International audiences around the world have been amazed by his talent for infusing the art of traditional Hindustani music with modern influences from jazz, fusion and Western classical.
Feinberg has been a musician since early childhood. He began learning the piano at age four, followed by the bass at age eight. He was introduced to Indian Classical music at the age of twelve by one of his instructors. He says this made an incredibly strong impression on him and that he fell in love with the genre—and it changed his life.
He began formally studying the sitar at the age of eighteen and since then, his primary career focus has been Indian music and sitar.
His journey into the world of Indian Classical music is an impressive one, which includes a year studying in India when he was 18 as a Fulbright scholar, as well as learning his craft and working with many masters in this field. Feinberg said, “I describe myself as a musical immigrant. I wasn’t born into this music, and it is not my cultural birthright, but I was invited in by the masters that taught me. I’m incredibly grateful to them for putting their arms around me and for welcoming me into this tradition and supporting me.”
Even though Feinberg does not come to this genre by way of heritage, for him, it’s the music he feels the most affinity with. He said, “I really believe North Indian Classical music is one of the great musical traditions that the world has ever produced. It’s stimulating and exciting. The music is emotional, complex, and profound. It’s everything that music can be.”
During his career, Feinberg has played concerts all over the world, and he says even though he’s a white guy performing in a traditionally South Asian genre, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. He said, “The vast majority of the concerts that I perform are for the Indian community. I primarily perform for South Asians. I would have to say this community has not only loved and embraced my music, but most of the community have been very happy and feel a sense of pride that someone from outside of India has fallen in love and devoted their life to a tradition from their part of the world. Many people have told me they feel proud of that.”
Feinberg says he is excited to perform this concert at Surrey Civic Theatres and feels the evening will appeal to fans of the genre, as well as provide a welcoming space to anyone curious about learning more about Indian Classical music too. He said, “Traditionally, the music that I will be playing was chamber music played for the royalty of India. These were always intimate settings, and to me, having this candlelight concert will harken back to that atmosphere. I’m excited to share space with the people of Surrey and to interact with the audience. Especially coming out of COVID, because as a musician, I really thrive on the energy exchange. I’m really looking forward to the entire event.”
For the concert, Feinberg will be accompanied by Vivek Pandya, a young tabla prodigy of enormous promise and talent, a collaboration he feels the audience will really enjoy. He said, “I’ve known Vivek for a few years. His guru, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, is a living legend in the music community, and I first heard about Vivek from him. We first played together a few months ago at a concert and I really enjoyed working with Vivek. Not only is he extremely talented and fun to share a performance space with, I also wanted to invite him to this performance to give him an opportunity to play a bigger show. This Surrey show will be the biggest show he has ever played, so I hope we can get a good audience out to support him for that experience. It is so important for young musicians to have that kind of encouragement and opportunity to learn and grown from. I think the audience is really going to love seeing such a young performer play so well.”
As well as being a touring performing artist, Feinberg teaches sitar in person and online to students around the world. He also serves as the executive director for Jalsaghar, a non-profit he established in 2017 to promote South Asian classical music. He said, “Music is everything to me. It’s my whole life. It’s my primary identity and motivation. My music and my practice give my life meaning. Not only that, but my experiences with music have also been incredibly healing. As someone who has gone through a lot, music has in so many ways saved my life.”
This unique show is certain to inspire new listeners and Indian music aficionados alike. Experience the Main Stage in a whole new light…literally! Bathed in flickering candlelight, this is one unique show audience members will remember for a long time to come.
Bonus Session: Meet the Artists
Join us on May 12 for An Audience with Josh Feinberg and Vivek Pandya. This is a unique opportunity for music patrons, teachers, practicing artists, students, and music aficionados to participate in a fun and interactive session. Enjoy the chance to ask questions, share experiences, and learn valuable tips and advice from a master of his craft and an up-and-coming prodigy. This engaging session will also include a reception where participants will have a chance to celebrate, network, and discuss Indian classical music. The event is free, but registration is required.
Project Consultant, Nina Buddhdev, The BANDISH Network
About Josh Feinberg
Josh began his musical training at an early age, studying piano and bass in New York City, studying with some of the most accomplished musicians on the scene. In his teens, Josh fell in love with the music of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Nikhil Banerjee and shifted his focus to sitar and Hindustani music while pursuing his bachelor’s degree from New England Conservatory. Josh is a student of the Maihar Gharana (school of playing) and has earned the love and respect of connoisseurs of Hindustani music, as well art- music communities around the world. One of the first non-Indian musicians to be accepted as a leading performer, he has learned with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan as well as Ust. Aashish Khan, Sri Alam Khan, Pt. Tejendra Majumdar, Dr. Peter Row, Dr. George Ruckert, Sri James Pomerantz, Sri Warren Senders and Smt. Vijaya Sundaram. Josh has also learned tabla and attended workshops with Pt. Anindo Chatterjee.
In 2019 Josh had three international tours including twenty-five concerts in 28 days for his India tour at some of the leading venues in the country. Josh is also one of very few young musicians who has performed with most of the top tabla artists in the world including Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri, Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, and Pt Kumar Bose.
Josh recorded his debut album, Homage, featuring tabla maestro Swapan Chaudhuri in 2013 and released his second album, One Evening in Spring, in November 2014 featuring abla maestro Anindo Chatterjee. His album with Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, A Fallen Blossom in the Thorns, was released in early 2017 to great acclaim.
In 2013, Josh published a sitar method book for the Hal Leonard Corporation, the world’s largest music publisher. He currently teaches at Lewis and Clark College, and Reed College in Portland, and teaches both in person and online to students around the world. When not touring, Josh splits his time between Portland, Oregon, and New York City.
About Vivek Pandya
Coming from a musical family, Vivek was naturally drawn towards the tabla from an early age. His uncle and father played Indian classical music and used to regularly practice at home. Guided by his dad and uncle, by the age of five, Vivek was accepted as a student of world-renowned maestro, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee. Vivek is regarded as a tabla prodigy who can carry the legacy of the maestros. He has played, accompanied renowned artists, and respected musicians around the globe. He has produced two albums, including one with santoor player, Vinay Desai. To spread the legacy and culture of Indian classical music, Vivek also teaches and mentors young students, who are the future of this great art.
