Red Poppy Art House: Art of the Duo: George Brooks and Utsav Lal

“Raga Pianist” joins forces with legendary saxophonist

Utsav Lal, the trailblazing “Raga Pianist,” joins forces with legendary saxophonist George Brooks for a captivating duo performance. Together, these two virtuosos craft new music that draws from the profound traditions of Indian classical music and American jazz, seamlessly fused with the aesthetics of contemporary minimalism.

Featuring:

George Brooks – Saxophone
Utsav Lal – Piano

Saturday, June 14th, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm doors, 7:30 pm show
Admission: (Online) $25 student & senior – $29 Early Bird – $35 General / (Door) $35

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

George Brooks, celebrated for his pioneering work in fusing Indian classical music with jazz, has collaborated with iconic artists such as Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, and Terry Riley. His emotive and technically brilliant saxophone artistry has earned him acclaim as a leading figure in cross-cultural musical innovation. Known for his innovative reimagining of Indian classical music, Utsav Lal blends tradition with modernity. His piano mastery brings ragas and talas to life with emotional depth and precision, offering a fresh, captivating perspective on this ancient tradition.

This extraordinary collaboration creates a genre-defying soundscape that bridges cultures and traditions. The performance will feature a mix of composed and improvised material, inspired by the rich structures of Indian classical music. A true treat for lovers of Indian classical, jazz, and world music!

Utsav Lal, the acclaimed “Raga Pianist” and Young Steinway Artist, is a visionary Indian pianist and composer who has redefined the role of the piano in Hindustani Classical music. With a career spanning two decades, Lal’s soulful renditions of traditional Alap Jod Jhalla have captivated audiences worldwide, with performances at leading venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Southbank Centre, and NCPA. Blending ancient tradition with innovation, Lal’s music is renowned for its sincerity, depth, and intensity. Influenced by Dhrupad music and artists like The Necks and Thelonious Monk, he has developed a unique voice for the piano, challenging conventional improvisation techniques. Novara Jazz Festival Director Corrado Beldi describes Lal’s playing as having “illuminating grace.”

George Brooks is an award-winning saxophonist and composer renowned for bridging jazz and Indian classical music. He founded influential Indian fusion groups, including Summit with Zakir Hussain, Bombay Jazz with Ronu Majumdar and Larry Coryell, Raga Bop Trio with Steve Smith and Prasanna, Kirwani Quartet with Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, and Elements with Kala Ramnath and Gwyneth Wentink. Brooks began his jazz studies with Count Basie saxophonist Frank Foster and continued at the New England Conservatory with George Russell, Joe Allard, and Jaki Byard. His journey took him to India, where he studied Indian classical music with Pandit Pran Nath. His albums are considered groundbreaking in the fusion of jazz and Indian classical music.