Sangha

Sangha mixes Persian, Indian, and Arabic musical traditions into a modern, energetic and vital ensemble. There are moments of delicate subtlety and great emotional depth mixed with exciting virtuosic improvisation. The group consists of Gordon Grdina on arabic oud, Hidayat Honari on persian tar, Neelamjit Dhillon on Indian Tabla and Hamin Honari on tombek and daf.The overall esthetic stays true to tradition yet the compositions are contemporary. Each traditions improvisational heritage is combined to create a fresh, unpredictable, and exciting modern sound. Sangha is a term used for a group of people who come together with a common bond. Sangha strives to unite the different cultures present within its makeup as well as to unite the audience with their music.

Gordon Grdina, an accomplished oud performer is currently studying Arabic music with Serwan Yamolky. A protégé of jazz great Gary Peacock, Gordon is also a jazzguitarist who tours Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest regularly with Loose Acoustic (www.looseacoustic.com), and the Gord Grdina Quartet feat. Francois Houle (www.plungerecords.com). He has also performed or recorded with Jesse Zubot, Chuck Isreals, Andre Lachance, John Stowell, Jim Pinchin, Dylan Van der Schyff, Chris Gestrin, Rene Worst, and Paul Pigat.

Neelamjit Dhillon studies under the tutelage of world-renowned maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. Neelamjit has had the opportunity to work with some great names in jazz such as Bob Mintzer, Kurt Elling, Nenna Freelon and Cedar Walton. Locally he has performed or recorded with The Tea Party, Millennium Project, Amir O’Loughlin & The Inayati Ensemble. He has also had the distinction of working with some of India’s finest musicians such as Louis Banks, Fazal Qureshi, Rakesh Chaurasia and Taufiq Qureshi

Hamin Honari studied Tombak and Daf under Ramin Bahrami. Locally he performs concerts within the Persian community and tours throughout North America performing at festivals and concert halls with his family’s band Honari as well as Rahamtollah Badei, Amir Koushkani and Eyvind Kang.

Hidayat Honari, a protégé of Amir Koushkani exemplifies the Persian musical tradition. His family’s band, Honari performs regularly at Persian and world music festivals around North America. He has performed with Persian masters, Rahmatollah Badi’i and Abdol Vahab Shahidi.