Jugalbandi Trio (2)

Jugalbandi Trio is an Italian band devoted to insane Classical Music. In Hindustani classical music, jugalbandi denotes a duet performance whereby the soloists are entwined in the exploration of a raga (Indian musical mode). Sheer improvisation, interplay, playful challenge and the mutual nourishment of each other’s musical imagination make this form of presentation extremely dynamic and inspiring for the performers and audiences alike. Providing the fundamental yet responsive rhythmic framework, are usually one or two percussionists, themselves equally accomplished artists. Jugalbandi Trio constitutes a hybrid conception of this tradition, recalling in its name ensembles typical of jazz music. The melodic instrumentalists, Nicolò Melocchi (bansuri) and Leo Vertunni (sitar) form a trio together with tabla player Federico Sanesi, expressing the collaborative approach in the composition of their repertoire, characterised by a concise development of the ragas, arranged structures, themes in unison and the creation of many opportunities for improvisation and interplay. The result is a work which is formally and stylistically in the Hindustani tradition, yet innovative in its elaboration and presentation. Nicolò Melocchi Bansuri player and disciple of master Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Nicolò Melocchi is an ambassador of Indian classical music and bansuri in Italy. He accompanied Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia in prestigious venues in Italy, such as the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, the theatre Flavio Vespasiano in Rieti, and was invited by the Indian embassy to perform in the theatre of Villa Torlonia in Rome. Nicolò’s music ranges from the purest research of the Raag to the folkloric repertoire of Rajasthan, playing several traditional instruments such as the algoza, the pungi and the morchang. He also experiments with other musical genres, such as electronica and world fusion. He also accompanies Indian dance performances and gives master classes in Indian music and bansuri ute. Currently, his artistic activity takes place between Italy, several European countries and India, where he continues his musical research supporting his Guru in countless concerts. Leo Vertunni Born in London in 1989, Leo Vertunni is today one of the emerging sitar players in Europe. After growing up as a guitar player, Leo was initiated by Pt. Avaneendra Sheolikar to the sitar in the Imdadkhani style. He then furthered his training in the UK with Ust. Dharambir Singh and Ust. Mehboob Nadeem. At present, he is a disciple of Ust. Irshad Khan, torchbearer of the Imdadkhani gharana and widely recognized as one of the greatest living sitar players. Leo has a keen interest in the historical and theoretical aspects of the great tradition of Hindustani classical music. After graduating in South Asian area studies at the University of Bologna, he was awarded an MA in Music Performance at the SOAS University of London. He performs extensively in Europe, tours regularly in the US and has also given concerts in Mexico, Colombia, Benin, Russia, China and India. He is active as an Indian classical soloist, as well as a session musician in several fusion projects, such as: Indialucia, Ateetam and Seven Eyes. In 2019 Leo began teaching sitar at the “A. Pedrollo” Conservatory of Vicenza, Italy. Federico Sanesi Percussionist and composer, born in 1963. He began studying percussion at an early age with Maestro Italo Savoia, and later with Maestro David Searcy at the Civica Scuola di Musica in Milan. Since 1981 he has studied tabla with the Master Pt. Sankha Chatterjee (Rabindra Bharati University and I.I.M.C in Berlin and Venice) of which he was one of the rst Western students. He has given concerts in Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America. His performing career has seen him work with some of the leading exponents of Indian classical music, in- cluding: Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ust. Shujaat Khan, Ust. Shaid Parveez, Ust. Nishat Khan, Pt. Ritwyk Sanyal, Ust. Bahauddin Dagar, Pt. Vidur Mallik and Pt. Prem Kumar Mallik. Federico has taught tabla at the “A. Pedrollo” Conservatory in Vicenza since 2001. He has also lectured at Music Conservatories in Alessandria, Cagliari, Milan, Padova, Parma, Brescia, Barcelona (Spain) and many others. In 2012 he received together with Ust. Shujaat Khan the nomination for Best Hindustani Classical album – Instrumental, ‘Dil’, at the Global Indian Music Awards 2012 (GIMA).