The Alaya Project ft/ special guest vocalist Roopa Mahadevan

Set 1 seating times: 630 / 645 / 7

Set 2 seating times: 830 / 845 / 9

Black Cat JAZZ@theEDGE!! Presents: The Alaya Project

Discover the unique sound The San Francisco Chronicle deemed “pioneering trans-cultural terrain:” experience The Alaya Project!

11/13: Sunday night only!

The Alaya Project’s music is a mix of jazz, funk and Carnatic percussion, a classical South Indian sound that focuses on vocals, with instruments mimicking the human voice via a blend of percussion, accordion and saxophone. Prasant Radhakrishnan’s saxophone floats over rhythmic Carnatic percussions by Rohan Krishnamurthy, as Colin Hogan gentle piano plays. It’s like nothing you have ever heard before- and it’s just gorgeous!

The Alaya Project’s distinct sound is elevated by Krishnamurthy’s hybrid drum kit, which adds a South Indian mridanga drum to a classic kit. “As I was forming the sound of the Alaya Project more and more, I realized I needed this combined hybrid sound that takes us into the jazz space to the funk space, the Carnatic space, and combines them in new ways,” he explained.

The Alaya Project’s aim is to show audiences how South Asian music can mix with other styles and can connect with music lovers well beyond the Indian community. “We kind of have a responsibility here,” Krishnamurthy said. “We are representing this tradition that goes back centuries.”

PLUS this performance will feature special guest Roopa Mahadevan, San Jose’s own vocalist known for her magnetic stage presence and powerful poignant voice. While she is a classical Indian vocalist, Roopa is also very versatile across genres – from world music to jazz, R&B, and soul. She brings a critical commentary, humor, and authenticity to her work, often invoking her talents in dance and theater. She’s graced many great stages, from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl, so don’t miss a chance to see her in a more intimate setting!

Experience these unique cross-genre, cross-culture vibes for yourself on Sunday, November 13 at Black Cat!

Personnel:

Prasant Radhakrishnan – Saxophone

Rohan Krishnamurthy – Percussion

Colin Hogan – Piano, Accordion

Roopa Mahadevan – Vocals