Universal Consciousness
Jay Gandhi and Jeff “Tain” Watts with Yunior Terry
Friday, 5.3.19
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Universal Consciousness is a new project created by legendary jazz drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts and groundbreaking bansuri player Jay Gandhi. Premiering at the Rubin Museum of Art, it will feature original compositions and traditional melodies drawn from Hindustani raga, American jazz, and global folk music. They will be joined by the Cuban bass virtuoso Yunior Terry and surprise special guests.
When Gandhi and Watts met onstage at an Alice Coltrane tribute (alongside Reggie Workman and Ravi Coltrane), the two discovered a rare musical simpatico. Their project, named after the seminal Alice Coltrane album, reflects their backgrounds in jazz, Indian classical music, and beyond. With a shared philosophy that “all music is folk music,” they explore a range of musical styles with inspired, adventurous, and truly spontaneous improvisation.
Presented with Brooklyn Raga Massive
About the Musicians
With six Grammy Awards under his belt, a 2017 Guggenheim Fellowship for composition, and multiple Drummer of the Year awards from Modern Drummer, Jeff “Tain” Watts needs no introduction. He exploded into popular consciousness through his work with both Marsalis brothers, in the drum chair of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and through his work with legends like McCoy Tyner, Betty Carter, and Alice Coltrane.
Jay Gandhi is a senior disciple of the bansuri legend Hariprasad Chaurasia. Rooted in Indian classical music, Jay has brought the the flute of North India to new territory incorporating his love of of jazz and blues roots. A vital member of the collective Brooklyn Raga Massive, Jay’s unique approach has brought him across the globe, enthralling audiences in India, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The two will be joined by bassist, violinist, and composer Yunior Terry. Born into one of Cuba’s most gifted musical families and following the footsteps of his father and two older brothers, Yosvany and Yoel, he began his musical training at the age of seven. He grew up surrounded by the music of Afro-Cuban religious traditions and learned to play the chekeré from his father Don Pancho, the undisputed master of the instrument. Yunior graduated from the prestigious National School of Art (ENA) with a double major in bass and violin. While in Cuba, he played violin with the Cuban National Symphony and bass with folkloric and Latin jazz groups.
