Kadri Gopalnath, fantastic saxophonist

[Preston]

This isn't Jazz (Amos!), but given the saxophone's prominent role in this
music I think readers of this group may be interested in hearing Indian
saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath's approach to the instrument. He plays and
teaches alto saxophone in the Carnatic Classical (Southern) style of the
Indian Classical tradition, apparently the first person to adapt the
instrument to the artform.

An excerpt to the liner notes of his CD, Gem Tones:
"It seems as if Kadri Gopalnath has started a saxophone ball rolling: 'Yes,
I am running a school in Karnatica, a place we call Mangalore, on the coast,
near to Goa... I have more than 44 students there... playing saxophone. And
in Bangalore 15 students. Now I am settled in Mardras... 27 students in
that city studying. And, I have students from the States, one student from
Canada."

Here is his official website, which includes an audio clip from a very
emotional live performance:

http://www.webindia.com/kadri/

Regards,
Preston

[Joe Milazzo]

I will concur -- Gopalnath is a unique artist in the Carnatic idiom. His sound
is somehow both very classical and very vocal, (naturally). RMB'ers might also
be interested in checking out his collaboration with James Newton (flute) on
Water Lily Acoustics, SOUTHERN BROTHERS.

[Ron Santen]

Better still - go to the Chennai Music Festival in mid-December - he
is bound to be there and hear this amazing man in person.

I was there the year before last and he and his group absolutely blew
me away...I went to see him 4 times in four different locations ---so
dynamic and creative..one of my great experiences.

But there is also so much to listen to at that festival - goes for
about 2-3 weeks with about 50 plus concers PER DAY...I am definitely
going back.

Ron Santen
Willetton, Western Australia

On Tue, 19 Jun 2001 20:59:07 -0700, "Preston" <pres...@qwest.net>
wrote:

[Bruce LeClaire]

That Kadri Gopalnath does play a wild style of sax I will agree. Never
heard anyone play sax like that before.

--Bruce

Preston partly wrote:
>
> I think readers of this group may be interested in hearing Indian
> saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath's approach to the instrument. He plays and
> teaches alto saxophone in the Carnatic Classical (Southern) style of the
> Indian Classical tradition, apparently the first person to adapt the
> instrument to the artform.
>