Johnny Kalsi was born in Leeds, Yorkshire (UK). Completely self taught, Johnny Kalsi has been playing the dhol drum for many years. His determination and persistence in learning to play came about when he could not find anyone who would give him any training. A little later, Johnny was lucky enough to get a small break in a local band and gained some basic experience. After three years, he was fortunate to join the most popular Bhangra band of that time called Alaap. With the correct guidance from the strong rhythm section in the band, Johnny incorporated modern dance steps to enhance his performance. Powerful big beats and dynamic rhythms became the focal point in his performance, a sound that soon began to dominate the Bhangra scene.
Up to this point, Johnny had never thought about training others, but as he profile grew, he began to receive inquiries as to whether or not he was teaching. Ultimately, this led to Johnny creating The Dhol Foundation (TDF), the largest dhol institute in Great Britain. The first Dhol Foundation class took place in 1991 in a community hall in Slough and within five weeks through word of mouth it had become a forty-strong student class. As demand grew, Johnny started another class in East and West London. The Dhol Foundation now runs a total of twelve classes throughout the UK and with nearly two hundred students already on the register the numbers are still growing. Going strong for nearly ten years, The Dhol Foundation is still the only institute in the country that teaches the dhol to a professional level.
After performing on the Bhangra circuit for nine years, Johnny ventured off to explore the European festival scene, which he had a taste with The Dhol Foundation. This resulted in Johnny exposing the dhol sound to a new album by Fun^Da^Mental. After touring with them for a little a year, he was quickly asked to join a session with pioneering world music fusion band TransGlobal Underground (TGU).
TransGlobal Underground was the next band to expose Johnny to the European club circuit. During an 18-month period, he concentrated on completing The Dhol Foundation’s first album. Gigs with TransGlobal Underground became more frequent, giving Johnny even more European exposure. In 1998, TransGlobal Underground released their hit album Rejoice Rejoice. A tour in the United States of America was scheduled for September and Johnny was on the priority list to cover the dates. Traveling around the east coast of the United States of America, finally ending up in Los Angeles. Two weeks later, they were back on the road with their biggest support tour to date with the legendary duo Page & Plant, formerly of Led Zeppelin. This tour was another six weeks of pure fun and getting on with a big band, big rig and big crew. After this tour, Johnny took time out to let the Asian media know about the support gig and the fact that The Dhol Foundation was involved in such a big outfit.
Another world music act, Afro Celt Sound System (ACSS) was Johnny’s dream band and he had a lot to offer them besides live dhol performances. While touring New York in 1997 with TransGlobal Underground and Afro Celt Sound System, he went on stage for a few numbers. This was his first taste of an interacting band vibing off each other. Next to come was Johnny’s participation in Afro Celt Sound System’s album Volume 2 Release. Together with Moussa Sissokho on talking drum and jembe, and James McNally on bodhran and whistle, Johnny contributed ideas and inspiration for tunes and heavy drum breaks.
Meanwhile, the Afro Celt Sound System album was due out in April 1999 and the rehearsals began thereafter. The master cut of the album was sent and Johnny began to go through the drum sections. Tour dates came flooding in and suddenly Johnny found himself torn between TransGlobal Underground and Afro Celt Sound System. This felt quite natural to the ‘Dholaholik.’ After sixteen years of touring and performing, his experience had reached an untouchable level within the international dhol community. Johnny found himself in the position of being a major front man for his art, with feature parts for dhol solos and broke into his live performances with Afro Celt Sound System.
In 2001, Johnny Kalsi released his first solo album, titled Big Drum Small World. He continues to collaborate with various artists and fusing his explosive mix of Punjabi music with other global cultures through The Dhol Foundation.
Partial Discography
Rejoice Rejoice, with TransGlobal Underground (1998)
Volume 2 Release, with Afro Celt Sound System
Big Drum Small World (2001)
Drum-Believable (2004)
Drums ‘n’ Roses (2007)
DrumStruck (2011)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
