The Sound of Indian Jazz

“The Sound of Indian Jazz” brings together a wide spectrum of artists exploring the intersections of Indian classical traditions and jazz improvisation. The playlist spans high-energy fusion tracks like Shakti’s “Peace Of Mind (with John McLaughlin)” and Trilok Gurtu and Simon Phillips’s “Piece of Five,” as well as reflective, genre-blending compositions such as “Compassion” by Vijay Iyer and Linda May Han Oh and “Alaap” by Amit Heri.

Anchored by the rhythmic complexity and melodic richness of Indian music, the selections move through several moods — from the meditative “Nanda (To My Mother)” by Trilok Gurtu & Arkè String Quartet to the groove-heavy “Bombay Boogie” by Ashwin Batish and Badal Roy. There’s a mix of established legends like Louis Banks and Kadri Gopalnath, contemporary voices such as Sarathy Korwar and Tarun Balani, and cross-cultural collaborations that stretch the definition of jazz. This playlist highlights the evolving sound of Indian jazz—textured, diverse, and always shifting.