Just Alap Raga Ensemble


The Just Alap Raga Ensemble is a Hindustani classical music ensemble, based in New York City, formed in 2002 by La Monte Young, Marian Zazeela, and Jung Hee Choi. The ensemble performs music in the tradition of the Kirana Gharana, a style inherited through Young and Zazeela's long discipleship under master Indian vocalist, Pandit Pran Nath. The music features extended alap sections and sustained vocal drones in just intonation over tamburas.

Style

The Just Alap Raga Ensemble merges the traditions of Western and Hindustani classical music, with Young applying his own compositional approach to traditional raga performance, form, and technique. With the ensemble, Young has introduced several new elements to Indian classical music. The pre-composition part of the alap, includes drones in two- and three-part harmony as well as counterpoint, while Young's harmony lines for these compositions comprise the introduction of two-part harmony into Indian classical khayal composition.

Members

The founding members of The Just Alap Raga Ensemble were La Monte Young, Marian Zazeela, and Jung Hee Choi, voices. Brad Catler, tabla, became a member in August 2002. Rose Okada, sarangi, became a member in June 2002. Charles Curtis, cello, became a member in August 2003. Da’ud Constant, voice, became a member in February 2004. Naren Budhkar, tabla, joined the ensemble in June 2004. Jon Catler, fretless sustainer guitar, became a member in September 2006.

Performance History