Two-time JUNO (Canadian Grammy) winner Kiran Ahluwalia and Guggenheim Fellow Rez Abbasi have established themselves as one of the most compelling cross-cultural duos in global music today. Kiran and Rez are a real-life couple, one born in India, the other in Pakistan.
Cultural exchanges between the two countries are officially banned, however, having grown up in the Diaspora, Kiran and Rez cross ethnic and religious lines between their two warring motherlands to forge a profound connection in life and music - creating work that stands as a powerful expression of shared humanity.
Kiran is a modern exponent of the vocal styles of India and Pakistan. With roots in Sufi, Qawwali, and Punjabi Folk, she crafts her own contemporary organic mix. Her lush melodies intertwine seamlessly with the gritty soul of West African blues and the sophistication of American jazz. Her lyrics explore themes as broad as the societal weight of cultural intolerance and as personal as female identity and desire.
Her group is led by virtuoso guitarist and composer Rez Abbasi. A name synonymous with excellence, he consistently ranks among the top-ten guitarists in Downbeat's International Critics Poll and is considered by many to be one of the foremost modern jazz guitar players in the world.
Making their highly anticipated Pittsburgh debut, Kiran and Rez will be joined on stage by Rohin Khemani on tabla and drums alongside Ben Rosenblum on accordion and organ. Their sound is both reflective and groovy — rooted in the Indian subcontinent yet immediately cosmopolitan and ultimately universal.
“A voice destined to enchant more than one generation...”
Folk Roots Magazine
"A sound as fresh as tomorrow..." Seattle Times
"There's a lot going on in the singer's bracing music, with the Punjabi folk and Indian classical music she was raised on interfacing with Malian blues, American blues, and soul..."
Downbeat
