This video is a ‘work-in-progress’ showcasing the development of my solo-electro-beats performances (since 2010.) I’m sampling myself in real-time, and creating an ‘on-the-spot’ mix/arrangement of live beats, samples, melodies, etc (I’ve generated all the musical sounds)… and am using an MPD 32 and a Korg NANO-controller and a Boss FS-5U Footswitch to create/control/change effects to continuously alter the sound in an improvisatory manner.
After The Disquiet (EP) to be released Oct. 4th
Super-excited to announce that (after 4 years!) I’m finally releasing a new TARANA recording!! It’s only a 4-song EP, but it represents the new direction the music has taken! I’ve placed a link for a FREE DOWNLOAD below, to give you a taste of what’s to come!!
The EP will be available through various digital distributors, including BANDCAMP… so please check it out!!
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Solo Tarana in the Mid-West (US) in May
Having worked on a SOLO hybrid drums-meets-electronics concept for over a year now, I finally decided to take the plunge and embarked on a SOLO tour. While it was frightening at first, to be all alone on stage, with no one to ‘fall back’ on, I embraced it, and went for it !!!
It was definitely difficult to categorize, musically 
I wasn’t billing it as a hour-long ‘drumistic’ drum-solo, suitable only for other drummers, but as a TOTAL musical experience, a live improvised DJ set, if you will. Resistance from all sides followed, naturally. In hind-sight, this music would have been better served at venues featuring deep-bass sound-systems. Well, it was a deep learning experience, and I’m inspired to keep it developing, not afraid to take chances with it.
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April Workshops in Colorado
I was invited by the terrific up-n-coming saxophonist Aakash Mittal to conduct various workshops in a few cities/towns in Colorado. In Colorado the eastern half, where a lot of the cities/towns seem concentrated (Greeley, Boulder, Loveland, Denver, Colodaro Springs, Pueblo, etc), goes by the name of the “Front Range.” While college-level workshops can be very technical, focussing on the traditional and mainstream very often, I was fortunate to have been given a chance to present my unique blend of integrating live-electronics, composition, Jazz-improvisation, and exploration of odd-time-signatures.
The clip presented below is excerpted from a workshop conducted at the University of North Colorado (on 4/15/11) , which focussed on the creative use of Ableton Live in an improvisational setting, which was constrained by a 7/4 time-signature, and a compositional form/arrangement that also relied on live interaction with the saxophonist.
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Tarana in Rochester
A nice summary of what the ‘new’ Tarana sounds like, was just published in the Rochester CityNewspaper.
Here’s an excerpt from the concert preview:
“You’ve never heard (or seen) a drummer like Ravish Momin. Whether he’s playing the drum set with his hands, seamlessly fusing his drums with a laptop full of electronic sounds, or creating vocal percussion, Momin is reinventing his instrument. His group, Tarana, has changed personnel over the years, but all of his band-mates are kindred spirits when it comes to finding new routes through the music. At the core of Tarana’s music is free improvisation; along the way it passes through strains of Indian and Middle Eastern music and, of course, jazz.”- Ron Netsky (March 2, 2011)
The concert takes place Tuesday, March 8, 8 p.m. at Bop Shop Atrium, 274 N. Goodman St. $15 donation requested. 271-3354, bopshop.com.
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Residency at The Erie Art Museum
I am pleased to report that my band, Tarana, was recently awarded a grant from “Meet The Composers” (METLIFE CREATIVE CONNECTIONS PROGRAM ), in conjunction with the Erie Art Museum, to engage in a week-long residency, from March 1-4, 2011.
The residency will include workshops (for students of varying levels), and concerts. The scope of the workshops will range from discussing the role of technology in modern music, to globalization in music, to simply sharing the basics of music-making!
I’ve never undertaken a residency of such a vast scope before, and am excited by the challenge it poses!
After completing the residency, we return to Pittsburgh, PA (my home-town!) for a concert at The Spot, on March 5th, followed by a return to The Bop Shop in Rochester, NY on March 8th. I’ve performed in both those cities on several occasions, and have always believed in returning to the same places to strengthen musical and community ties.
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Tarana at the Krannert Center
Tarana kicked off 2011 in an auspicious way with a performance at the prestigious Krannert Center for Performing Arts, Urbana, IL, on January 22. Joining me on violin was the amazing Trina Basu.
Tehrah from Ravish Momin on Vimeo.
Recorded LIVE at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Part of the Global Transfer Afterglow Series, curated by Jason Finkelman) on January 22, 2011
Featuring Trina Basu on Violin, and Ravish Momin on drums, laptop, voice
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San Servolo Jazz Meeting 2010
Tarana will be performing at the San Servolo Jazz Meeting, in Venezia, Italy, on November 4, 2010, as part of our Italian tour.
Excerpted from “WIRE” magazine:
From 04/11/10 to 25/11/10: Location: Venice, Italy:
“Series of four concerts exploring contrasting takes on contemporary jazz, taking place on the small island of the Venetian lagoon. With Ravish Momin Tarana Trio (4 November), Matthew Shipp (11), Wayne Horvitz & Robin Holcomb (18), Rob Mazurek & Chad Taylor (25). Venice , presented by: Teatro Fondamenta Nuove.”
Tour Details forthcoming, stay tuned!
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Canadian Tour 2010
So psyched to be playing in the 2010 Editions of The Guelph Jazz Festival (sharing the billing with Charles Lloyd, George Lewis, Us. Zakir Hussain, Chicago Underground Duo, Kid Koala, et al) as well as LOLA Fest (where we shift gears, sharing the billing with some amazing/cutting-edge Indie-artists such as Caribou, Fond Of Tigers, Rhys Chatham, Jamie Lidell, DJ Spooky, Lee Ranaldo, et al)
