Sarathy Korwar’s music is a living, breathing map of the global South Asian diaspora, where the ancient resonance of the tabla meets the urgent pulse of modern London jazz. It sounds like a bustling street market suddenly giving way to a high-concept art gallery, blending organic percussion with sharp electronic edges. There is a constant sense of movement, a rhythmic complexity that feels both grounded in tradition and radically forward-thinking.
What truly sets Korwar apart is his ability to weave heavy social commentary and identity politics into music that remains deeply danceable and spiritually resonant. He doesn't just play jazz; he uses the genre as a framework to host rappers from Mumbai, field recordings of Sidi folk musicians, and avant-garde saxophone explorations. It is a dense, intellectual, and visceral experience that challenges the listener to rethink what 'world music' or 'jazz' can actually be.
Start with 'More Arriving' to hear the explosive intersection of jazz and Indian hip-hop, or dive into 'Kalak' for a more cyclical, synth-heavy exploration of Indo-futurism. This is music for people who want their art to have something to say, delivered through some of the most inventive drumming in the contemporary scene.
Sarathy Korwar is a US-born, Indian-raised, London-based drummer, percussionist, composer and bandleader. He works predominantly in a jazz and Indo jazz field but also incorporates elements of hip-hop, and other fusions.
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