Raga Cubana

Cultures around the world have developed different musical techniques for evoking powerful and transformative emotions. One of the most evolved rhythmic traditions on earth is found in the sacred drumming of Cuba. From a different perspective, the Indian system of raga explores modal melody with a depth and breadth unmatched in the West. Combined, they are Raga Cubana.

Brooklyn Raga Massive, praised by the Wall Street Journal for “expanding the notion of what raga…can mean,” and dubbed the “leaders of the raga renaissance” by the New Yorker, will collaborate with Afro-Cuban maestro Román Díaz, a pillar of the New York City Afro-Cuban folkloric tradition and one of the music’s great innovators. The olù batá (master drummer) brings with him the outstanding vocalist Melvis Santa and a full rhythm section of batá drummers.

Expect soaring Carnatic violin, bansuri, explosive percussion, and the beautiful, haunting melodies of Africa, India, and the Caribbean.

Artist lineup

Román Díaz (conductor, batá: iyá )

Melvis Santa (vocals)

Giancarlo Luigi (shekere)

Clemente la Tierra (batá: okónkolo)

Rafael Monteagudo (batá: itótele)

Ehren Hanson (tabla)

Jay Gandhi (bansuri)

David Ellenbogen (guitar)

Camila Celin (sarod)

Arun Ramamurthy (violin)

Michael Gam (bass)

and more

This event continues the ongoing Brooklyn Raga Massive Citizen’s Diplomacy Initiative.

Presented with Harrice Miller Entertainment