Sharon Isbin, Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash – Live in Aspen (ZOHO Music, 2024)
Grammy-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin partners with renowned sarod virtuoso Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, along with tabla artist Amit Kavthekar, in Live in Aspen. Captured during their sold-out 2022 concert at the Aspen Music Festival, this live album celebrates the festival’s 75th anniversary, presenting a seamless East-West collaboration through music. Notably, Live in Aspen continues the acclaimed collaboration first introduced with Strings for Peace in 2020.
The album opens with Isbin’s solo of Francisco Tárrega’s “Capricho árabe,” an exquisite Moorish-influenced piece that honors Spanish guitar traditions rooted in flamenco. The core of the program, composed by Amjad Ali Khan, includes three pieces for guitar, sarod, and tabla. Each composition masterfully weaves Indian classical ragas with Western musical textures, delivering evocative, dazzling and cross-cultural performances.
In “Sacred Evening,” Isbin and Ayaan Ali Bangash explore Raga Yaman, bringing a romantic night raga to life with intimate, improvisational exchanges. “By the Moon,” featuring Amaan Ali Bangash, presents Raga Behag, known for its pentatonic ascent, in a lively 16-beat framework. The tabla energizes both pieces, enhancing the dynamic interplay between guitar and sarod.
Khan’s solo set, featuring Bengali folk tunes and traditional ragas, highlights the spiritual and emotive depth of Indian classical music. Meanwhile, “Romancing Earth,” the closing ensemble piece, captures monsoon-inspired Raga Pilu, transitioning fluidly between serene and intense emotions, symbolizing universal themes of love, devotion, and nature.
Musicians: Sharon Isbin on guitar; Amjad Ali Khan on sarod; Amaan Ali Bangash on sarod; Ayaan Ali Bangash on sarod; and Amit Kavthekar on tabla.
Engineered by Wes Lanich and Sai Shravanam.
Buy Live in Aspen.
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.