MoonArra Celebrates Eight Years of Fusion with Phil Scarff in Bengaluru
The Bengaluru-based fusion ensemble MoonArra marks a significant milestone this month. They celebrate eight years of collaboration with American saxophonist Phil Scarff. The group will host a special concert titled Music – The Harvest Horn of Plenty on January 14. The event takes place at the Alliance Française de Bengaluru.
A 90-Minute Journey of Original Compositions
The 90-minute performance promises a rich auditory experience. It features original compositions deeply rooted in Indian classical ragas and traditional rhythms. These elements blend seamlessly with nuanced jazz harmonies. The ensemble creates a unique sound that bridges cultural and musical traditions.
Phil Scarff will perform on soprano saxophone for the concert. He joins a talented lineup of musicians. Jagadeesh brings his skills on guitar. Madhuri Jagadeesh and Jataveda Banerjee provide captivating vocals. Adarsh Shenoy completes the ensemble with his mastery of the tabla.
Recording a New Collaborative Album
MoonArra is not just performing live. The ensemble is currently recording a new album of original music. This project is shaped collaboratively by the entire group and Phil Scarff. It represents the next step in their artistic journey together.
Guitarist and composer Jagadeesh reflects on their progression. He describes the journey as organic and natural. "The past year has been especially fulfilling," Jagadeesh says. He points to performances at international festivals and a successful Italian tour. The recording of their album World Sound also highlights this productive period.
"This concert feels like coming full circle," Jagadeesh adds. "It is a seamless continuation of everything we love to explore musically."
Harvest Time Inspires the Concert Theme
The concert's title carries deep cultural significance. Scheduled around the Sankranti festival, the performance draws inspiration from harvest celebrations across India. "It is harvest time across the country," Jagadeesh explains. "Festivals like Baisakhi and Lohri all happen during this period. That is why we named the concert The Harvest Horn of Plenty."
Phil Scarff shares his perspective on the collaboration. "My experience and training in Hindustani music, along with performing fusion and collaborating with Indian musicians, makes working with MoonArra very intuitive," Scarff says. "It feels natural and organic."
An Intimate Fusion of Musical Dialogues
For the audience, the concert offers an intimate listening experience. Musical dialogue takes clear precedence over strict genre labels. Jagadeesh emphasizes the focus on real-time interaction between instruments.
"The focus is on how the saxophone, voices, tabla, and guitar respond to one another in the moment," he explains. "We create a fluid exchange rather than separate parallel performances. It is about how everything comes together and starts speaking to each other."
This philosophy captures the true collaborative spirit of the evening. It promises a performance where boundaries blur and music flows freely.
The concert will take place on January 14 at 7:00 PM. It is hosted at the Alliance Française de Bangalore. Tickets for this special event are available for purchase online.
