IN MEMORIAM
Kadri Gopalnath 12/5/1949 – 10/11/2019
Kadri Gopalnath was one of the great innovators of South Indian (Carnatic) music. Tutored by his father on the nadhaswarama large oboe-like instrument favored for temple ceremonies, he fell in love as a young man with the saxophone. Over a period of some 20 years he mastered the instrument (alto saxophone) and introduced it to the repertoire of classical South Indian Music. He first visited the US in 1987 and performed at Washington Sq. Church, NYC for the World Music Institute. The concert was reviewed by Robert Palmer for the New York Times. He performed again for WMI in 1995, this time at Merkin Concert Hall. Kadri Gopalnath continued to perform at concerts and festivals throughout the world often experimenting across genres as in his 2008 tour with jazz saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa. Read more...
Kadri Gopalnath was one of the great innovators of South Indian (Carnatic) music. Tutored by his father on the nadhaswarama large oboe-like instrument favored for temple ceremonies, he fell in love as a young man with the saxophone. Over a period of some 20 years he mastered the instrument (alto saxophone) and introduced it to the repertoire of classical South Indian Music. He first visited the US in 1987 and performed at Washington Sq. Church, NYC for the World Music Institute. The concert was reviewed by Robert Palmer for the New York Times. He performed again for WMI in 1995, this time at Merkin Concert Hall. Kadri Gopalnath continued to perform at concerts and festivals throughout the world often experimenting across genres as in his 2008 tour with jazz saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa. Read more...
Ramakant Gundecha 11/24/62- 11/8/2019
Ramakant Gundecha, one of the Gundecha brothers, the leading exponents of the ancient Indian art of Dhrupad, an austere vocal style of classical North Indian music that predates the more commonly performed Khayal.The Gundecha Brothers, Ramakant and Umakant, with their younger brother pakhawajplayer Akhilesh performed at Roulette as part of our World In Trance Festival in 2016 to great acclaim. The Gundecha’s studied under the tutelage of two members of the renowned Dagar family, vocalist Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar and rudra vinamaster Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar. Over the past thirty years they have traversed the world performing in festivals and major concert venues to rapturous audiences and have taught their art to students throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Ramakant Gundecha, one of the Gundecha brothers, the leading exponents of the ancient Indian art of Dhrupad, an austere vocal style of classical North Indian music that predates the more commonly performed Khayal.The Gundecha Brothers, Ramakant and Umakant, with their younger brother pakhawajplayer Akhilesh performed at Roulette as part of our World In Trance Festival in 2016 to great acclaim. The Gundecha’s studied under the tutelage of two members of the renowned Dagar family, vocalist Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar and rudra vinamaster Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar. Over the past thirty years they have traversed the world performing in festivals and major concert venues to rapturous audiences and have taught their art to students throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas.
REMEMBERING BROOK ZERN
Brook Zern,
Flamenco aficionado and a major contributor to the appreciation of flamenco in the United States
February 10, 1941 – June 22, 2019
Brook Zern, a longtime resident of New York, Andalusia (Spain), and Martha’s Vineyard, was immersed in the world of flamenco for over 50 years – a journey he shared with his wife Kristin. Called a “flamenco historian" in the New York Times, Brook preferred to think of himself as a devoted aficionado of one of the world’s greatest and most powerful cultural creations. In 2008, he was knighted by the King of Spain for the dissemination of Spanish culture in the US.
While in Andalusia, he spent countless hours in private homes, bars and roadside ventas of Seville and Jerez and such small towns as Moron de la Frontera and Utrera. He knew many legendary artists, including singers Juan Talega, El Chocolate, Fernanda de Utrera and Manuel Agujetas; dancers El Farruco, Angelita Vargas and Manuela Carrasco; and guitarists (and his teachers) Sabicas, Diego del Gastor and Mario Escudero. He went on to lecture at universities, festivals and cultural events, appear on television and radio, and write articles for many American and Spanish publications and websites, including the New York Times, the Village Voice, and deflamenco.com. In 1987, after a long effort, he helped to assure the preservation of the prominent Spanish Television series Rito y Geografia de Cante.
To many people in the flamenco community, he was an invaluable resource with his deep knowledge and expert advice. For us, he was always there to lend a helping hand - whether with artist recommendations, visas, program notes or proper translations, among other things. It was an inspiring experience to sit near him at a flamenco event, because the stories and critiques were so wonderful. Brook, we will miss you!