The United States Air Force Band of the Pacific, based in Hawaii, has released a music video featuring a virtual collaboration with Giridhar Udupa, Bengaluru-based ghatam exponent.
Titled ‘Open Clusters’, the track is composed by Staff Sergeant Luis Rosa, saxophone instrumentalist.
Giridhar, who regularly plays with Karnatik musicians and fusion bands, has performed at some of the most prestigious venues of the world.
“They discussed a collaboration that would reflect the world music genre. We decided to have the whole rendition as a question and answer session,” Giridhar told Showtime.
The improvisational tradition of Indian classical music makes collaboration easy. “Indian rhythm gives you the freedom to explore and expand. It has highly sophisticated rhythms,” he explains.
He hopes to perform his latest composition before a live audience. “It is a high-energy track,” he adds.
The band is a squadron of professional US Air Force musicians who perform in diverse musical configurations. It presents more than 200 performances annually.
The other artists who are a part of the composition are senior airman Guy James on the guitar, staff sergeant Andrew Detra on bass, and technical sergeant Wilfredo Cruz on percussion.
The video can be viewed on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.