I first discovered Trilok Gurtu's music around 25 to 30 years ago when it was playing in a record store. It was like my soul instantly connected with his music, and I've been following his work ever since.
About a decade later, I had the incredible opportunity to back up Trilok in a performance. Let me tell you, he left me completely awestruck. During the sound check, he did something mind-blowing – he used his left hand and left foot on a standard drum set while simultaneously using his right hand and foot to create a completely different rhythm on an Indian percussion setup. "Wow" is the only word that can capture what I witnessed and heard; it was truly breathtaking, and it left my brain and heart wanting more. Later, I had the pleasure of meeting Trilok in person, and I can confidently say that he's not only an extraordinary musician but also a genuinely nice person to chat with.
Trilok Gurtu's musical journey began in Bombay, India, where he was born into a musical family. He started playing at a very young age and later traveled to Europe, where he joined the Don Cherry quartet and went on to tour worldwide with groups like Oregon, collaborating with jazz and world music greats. Over the years, he evolved as a musician and performer, blending modern jazz and rock with elements of Indian rhythms and singing into his compositions. His stage presence and humorous presentations added a unique aspect to his performances.
In 1996, he formed his group, "The Glimpse," which reflected his Indian roots. Trilok's music entered the world music scene in the late '90s, featuring guest singers like Neneh Cherry, Salif Keita, Angelique Kidjo, and Oumou Sangare.
Throughout the early 2000s, he continued to tour and collaborate with various artists and received critical acclaim for his album "REMEMBRANCE." Trilok's career expanded into orchestral performances and unique collaborations, making him a popular and respected figure in the global music scene.
In subsequent years, he released albums like "BROKEN RHYTHMS," showcasing his rhythmic expertise and collaborations with artists such as Huun Huur Tu and Gary Moore. Trilok's versatility as a composer and player allowed him to contribute to a wide range of projects with artists from different musical backgrounds. He continues to define himself as one of the greatest innovators in the world of percussion and music, building his style on a deep understanding of global music traditions.
Trilok Gurtu is a world-renowned percussionist with a long and impressive career. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, from Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, Angelique Kidjo to John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, and many more. He's deeply rooted in the Indian musical tradition and has worked with notable Indian musicians like Zakir Hussain, L. Shankar, Shankar Mahadevan, and others. Trilok is known for his "burning sense of rhythm" and has made significant contributions to the world music genre. He's a "serial collaborator" and has continually pushed the boundaries of world music, even performing with special guest appearances by artists like Nitin Sawhney, Angelique Kidjo, Salif Keita, and Wally Badarou in the early 2000s.Info
Music free to stream - https://pod.co/nudirections
Website - https://www.raysroom.org
Blogs & Content - https://2bjazz.com
Rays Info - https://www.raysinfo.org
Email - raysroom@mail.com
Please enjoy the Music I Love
Ray
Playlist
Trilok Gutu – ShobharockTrilok Gutu - Have We Lost Our Dream
Trilok Gutu – Believe
Trilok Gutu - Seven Notes to Heaven
Trilok Gutu – Vak
Trilok Gurtu Maya
Trilok Gutu - African Fantasy
Trilok Gurtu Jhulelal
Trilok Gurtu – 21 Spices
Trilok Gutu - Big Brother
Trilok Gutu - Crazy Saints
Trilok Gutu - Josef Erich
Trilok Gutu - The Other Tune
Trilok Gurtu Simon Phillips NDR Big band - Beaucoup
Useful linksWikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilok_Gurtu
Trilok’s website - https://www.trilokgurtu.com/
Trilok’s Biography - https://www.trilokgurtu.com/biography.html
Recommended Album - Twenty Years Of Talking Tabla – Excellent definitive album of Trilok’s musichttps://www.discogs.com/release/5189868-Trilok-Gurtu-Twenty-Years-Of-Talking-Tabla-The-Definitive-
YouTubeTrilok Gutu & Joe Zawinul (2 Masters) live recorded at the North Sea Jazz Festival 1994 – Highly recommended - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQWKbUC57_8