Written by The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra expands its horizons with a series of concerts entitled 21 Spices and featuring the sensational Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu in Glasgow, Perth and Edinburgh from 28th to 30th March.
The son of vocalist Shobha Gurtu, a legendary figure in Indian classical music known as the Thumri Queen, Trilok Gurtu has won an international reputation for his work with guitarists John McLaughlin and Pat Metheny, saxophonists Jan Garbarek and Pharoah Sanders and keyboardist Joe Zawinul. He has also appeared with world music stars Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, Angelique Kidjo, Omara Portuondo, and Tuvan throat singers, Huun Huur Tu and has recorded and toured with Italian virtuosi, the Arke String Quartet.
A formally trained percussionist, Gurtu has developed a highly expressive, completely individual playing style, incorporating tabla, a customised drum kit, an array of shakers and gongs, and a bucket of water with which he creates myriad tones and timbres.
For SNJO founder-artistic director, saxophonist Tommy Smith, working with Gurtu offers an opportunity to return an invitation that saw Smith touring America and Europe with Gurtu in the 1990s.
“Following the release of Trilok’s Bad Habits Die Hard album, from which 21 Spices takes its name, he asked me to join his band on tour,” says Smith. “It was an unforgettable experience. Trilok is a genuinely unique musician and his music is exciting and brilliantly imaginative. This will take the SNJO and our audience into a sound world that’s very different to the one generally occupied by orchestral jazz. It’s a very exciting prospect.”
Gurtu’s compositions have been arranged for the SNJO by the German percussionist, pianist, composer and conductor, Wolf Kerschek, who has worked in situations from jazz big bands and philharmonic orchestras to conducting football’s World Cup anthem and participating in Sesame Street.
“Kerschek is an amazingly versatile musician and arranger and we’re really looking forward to bringing his orchestrations of Trilok’s music to the stage,” says Smith. “Knowing his work and having played with Trilok, I’m sure these concerts will be exhilarating events.”
This collaboration with Trilok Gurtu is just the latest in a long line of unique partnerships that have defined the SNJO’s history since its inception in 1995. The orchestra has built a reputation for its versatility and willingness to explore diverse musical territories, often pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz orchestration.
Over the years, the SNJO has presented programmes featuring both jazz classics and contemporary works, many of which were specially commissioned. Their repertoire has included suites by Duke Ellington, celebrations of Count Basie and Benny Goodman, and the iconic collaborations between Miles Davis and Gil Evans.
The orchestra’s commitment to innovation is evident in their collaborations with a wide array of guest artists. They have performed with jazz luminaries such as Gary Burton, exploring the music of Wayne Shorter, and John Scofield, delving into the electric period of Miles Davis. Other notable collaborations include performances with Joe Lovano, featuring Smith’s acclaimed composition “Torah,” and Dame Cleo Laine and John Dankworth premiering “The Morning of the Imminent,” another work by Smith.
In recent years, the SNJO has continued to broaden its musical horizons. In 2022, they collaborated with Scottish jazz vocalist Georgia Cécile, showcasing new arrangements of her original compositions. The orchestra has also worked with international artists like Makoto Ozone, reimagining classical works such as Mozart’s 9th Piano Concerto for jazz orchestra.
With the preparations in full swing for the series with Trilok Gurtu, it’s clear that this collaboration is a natural progression in the orchestra’s ongoing journey of musical exploration and cross-cultural exchange. The upcoming performances promise to be a thrilling fusion of jazz, Indian classical music, and contemporary composition, further cementing the SNJO’s reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative and versatile jazz ensembles.
Tour details:
Friday 28th March, 7:30pm – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Saturday 29th March, 7:30pm – Perth Concert Hall
Sunday 30th March, 7:30pm – Edinburgh Queen’s Hall
More information and be found on the SNJO’s website.
Last modified: March 8, 2025
