The Jaipur Kawa Brass band from Rajasthan continues Scotland's connection with the musical culture of Rajasthan when they arrive at the end of the month to follow the huge success of last year's TUNE UP tour of Musafir, the Gypsies of Rajasthan. This is the third band to tour Scotland as part of the Scottish Arts Council's TUNE UP music touring programme.

The band's wide repertoire ranges from Indian traditional music with distinctive Gypsy sound to the popular songs of Bollywood movies and the touch of North Indian classical music. Intricate rhythms and virtuoso improvisations converge in a performance that also features a spectacular gypsy dancer whose choreography represents the contortions of the cobra
­
"The Guardian of Spiritual Truth"- and the fakir, who swallows a sabre right before the audience's eyes. The whole evening promises to be very spicy and very colourful!

The first time Indians were introduced to brass band music was in 1750 during the time of the British Empire when a brass band from England performed in Calcutta. A century later, it was commonplace to hear clarinets, trumpets, trombones, tubas, side drums, bass drums played at festivities, British and Indian, whatever the purpose: religious, popular, military or sportive. The repertoire was Western as well as Indian.

Brass bands today are now part of the Indian musical tradition. They accompany events such as national or religious celebrations, popular festivals and also events such as weddings. In India, no marriage is without a brass band! They play in procession through the congested and noisy streets, from the home of the bridegroom to that of his betrothed, followed by the enthusiastic wedding party dancing to the sounds of rolling percussion and strident clarinets.
 

TUNE UP TOUR DATES

Sun 30 October 2005
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
8pm
£12.50/£10.50
0141 353 8000

Mon 31 October 2005
Sabhal Mor Ostaig, nr Armadale, Isle of Skye
8pm
£10/£7
01471 844207

Tues 1 November 2005 
Queen's Hall, Edinburgh
8pm
£12/£10
0131 668 2019

Wed 2 November 2005
The Space, Dundee
8pm
£10/£8
01382 834934

Thurs 3 November 2005
The Wynd, Melrose
8pm
£12/£10
01896 820028

Fri 4 November 2005
The Tolbooth, Stirling
8pm
£12/£8
01786 274000