Anjan Shah

Anjan’s newest project Rhapsody in राग जोग (Raag Jog) was conceived as a way of giving expression to Anjan’s Indian ancestry and personally reconciling, his own musical cultures of western classical & jazz and eastern Hindustani. As a first-generation American born in 1966 in Michigan, Anjan struggled as a child to ‘fit in’ and be accepted as the person he is, a proud American and a son of his ancestral land – India. In a very real sense, this work represents the true dimensions of who he is as both a person and a musician.

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Rhapsody in राग जोग (Raag Jog) is a 22-minute original work by Drew Zaremba that is rhapsodic in form and features the bansuri flute/tenor saxophone, guitar, table, bass and orchestral strings. The composition brings together 4 major ideas: improvisation, a fusion of western & eastern music, diversity & inclusion, and a personal journey of cultural acceptance through music.

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“I have been so fortunate to benefit from so many rich and diverse musical experiences and hope that this fusion of Indian sounds and melodies with jazz will inspire you to reflect on the particular influences which have shaped your own appreciation for music and serve to motivate you to explore new expressions wherever they might lead. This, in the purest sense, is an artistic endeavor,” states soloist Anjan Shah. “This is a tribute to my father, Girish Shah, who first inspired me to explore and embrace the music of India and I know he would be so delighted by this very special work and the cherished traditions it represents.”  

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This project was recently featured in the May 2023 issue of the International Musician. Here is a short excerpt:  

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For many musicians, drawing on their cultural background provides a wealth of material for creative inspiration. As a first-generation Indian American, saxophonist Anjan Shah of Locals 10-208 (Chicago, IL) and 40-543 (Baltimore, MD) understands this very well. However, it wasn’t an understanding that came to him until much later in his life.

 

“Growing up in Detroit in the 1960s, we were one of only 13 Indian families in the city,” says Shah, whose parents emigrated from Mumbai early in that decade following a love marriage—that opposed an expected arranged marriage—which ostracized them from their families. “My dad got an engineering job with General Motors and they settled in the Indian community in Detroit, which was very tight.”

 

Like many children of immigrants, Shah says he spent much of his childhood trying to fit in. “I was constantly made aware of how different I was from not only the white kids, but also the Black kids,” he recalls. “Trying to be accepted meant avoiding exploring my own culture.”

 

His father had hoped that Shah might learn to play traditional Indian instruments such as the tabla—hand drums—or the bansuri, a side-blown flute typically made from bamboo. “Wanting to assimilate with kids my own age though, I shied away from trying them or even listening to much Indian music,” he says with evident regret....THERE IS MORE TO THE STORY.

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Send us a quick note and we'll send you a pdf of the complete story.  

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Artra Artists is excited to present a new work for soloist and orchestra titled Rhapsody in राग जोग (Raag Jog). This beautifully layered journey of sound takes the listener on a ride through a wide range of emotions and experiences. It is a fusion of East & West that elevates the spirit and jump-starts our innermost moments. 

 

Artra Artists is proud to present an exciting new work sax/bansuri flute and orchestra featuring soloist Anjan Shah. This beautifully layered journey of sound takes the listener on a ride through a wide range of emotions and experiences. It is a fusion of East & West that elevates the spirit and jump-starts our innermost moments. 

 

To learn more or get an advanced reference recording and score, please contact Bob Bauchens at Artra Artist - TODAY!