'Live in Kolkata' by the German collective JISR serves as a tribute to oud player and guitarist Roman Bunka (1951-2022), who dedicated his life to music and intercultural understanding. Four decades ago, he traveled to Kolkata with the legendary group Embryo and crossed the stunning Howrah Bridge, which later became the backdrop for the memorable JISR concert on March 24, 2022. JISR takes listeners on an auditory journey reminiscent of a moonlit caravan, traversing from the Isar in Germany to the Ganges in India. This metaphorical caravan symbolises not just a geographical journey but also the migration of ideas and emotions, finding their expression through music.
The music transcends genre boundaries, blending influences such as the meditative playing of Hindustani violin, the pulsating rhythms of Gnawa, the experimental spirit of Krautrock, and the deep, melancholic melodies of Arabic maqam. This album is a celebration of the diversity and richness of world music, honoring Roman Bunka's legacy in its entirety. Each sound tells stories of hope and dialogue, fostering connection through music in a time of crisis.
The performance by the Ganges, one of Roman Bunka's last concerts, evokes cherished memories of his life and his message of peaceful coexistence through music. 'Live in Kolkata' thus stands not only as a musical monument to Roman Bunka but also as a powerful manifesto for the universal language of music - an invitation to look beyond the confines of one's own culture and embrace the captivating sounds of the world.
Roman Bunka: oud, guitar
Mohcine Ramdan: voice, gembri
Marja Burchard: piano, vibraphone, trombone
Marwan Fakir: violin
Gergely Lukacs: trumpet, flugelhorn
Niko Schabel: saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet
Severin Rauch: drums
Indradeep Ghosh: violin
Subrata Bhattacharya: tabla
Debjani Basu: tanpura
