Recommended Based in Bristol, Somerset but travels UK wide
Simon Kohli is a virtuoso Indian musician. Simon specialises in the Sarod, a large string instrument similar to the Sitar. His beautiful music will provide a perfect backdrop to many events. Prices: From £240+
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Customer Reviews: 1 of 7
"Everyone was delighted with Simon's music. Many guests were fascinated by his instrument and he was very sociable.
I booked late and Graham was very proactive in assisting me. Having someone who is that familiar with the clients needs and the artists on their lists, makes it win-win situation for everyone. Would certain recommend and use you again. Many thanks.
Simon is a virtuoso Indian classical musician living in the South West of England. Simon specialises in the Sarod a large string instrument similar to the Sitar. He took his initial training on the sarod from Ustad Wajahat Khan in London in 1993 for many years of one to one lessons. Wajahat Khan is one of the world's most renowned Sarod maestros. Simon has been performing since he graduated from the University of Winchester in 1998 with a BA Hons in World Music and English.
At that time Winchester had a thriving World music department where he was lucky enough to study Ethnomusicology with Dr Malcolm Floyd and Dr Frances Silkstone. Simon is of mixed Indian and English heritage.
Simon performs and teaches traditional North Indian Classical music on the Sarod both solo and accompanied by the Tabla. He can bring his own PA for audiences upto 500 people. A raised stage and attractive carpet should be provided if possible but he can bring his own carpet if unavailable.Simon is available for stage concerts festivals corporate and private bookings.
Accompanists
Tapan Roy During the course of his musical career which spans the past three decades Tapan has performed not only all over India and the sub-continent but also in Japan and the UK including concerts in Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. He has played with many famous musicians and classical dancers.
At present Tapan is settled in Bristol, where he has already built up a formidable reputation as both a teacher and performer. His skills are in great demand from all over Britain and he gives lessons in Tabla to pupils in Bath, Bristol and the surrounding area. As such, he has made a valuable contribution to the richness of the cultural life of the region.
Dhyan Singh Has been playing tabla since the age of 12. He has played with many vocalists, worked as a temple musician, and travelled to Europe and the United States several times. He also sings and is learning the Sarangi. He studied with Giani Arun Singh in the Punjab style.
Recent Press Article Captivating sound of the Indian Lute Music of the Spheres: Simon Kohli & Tapan Roy Review by Peter Ridsdale
The Sarod, a 25-stringed Indian lute is not an instrument heard too often in Thornbury and it was therefore a rare delight to hear it being played by Simon Kohli in the Chantry.
Accompanied by Tapan Roy on Tabla and by a digital drone box, Simon performed two classical Indian ragas. We were also treated to a Tabla solo in which Roy, one of Britain's most distinguished Tabla players, demonstrated some of the technical aspects of Tabla playing as well as 'Bols' the traditional mnemonic system of vocalising Tabla parts.
The Sarod has four main playing strings, four chikari (drone strings) and 17 sympathetic strings which vibrate when a corresponding not is played. These strings pass over a broad chrome fingerboard to a bridge on a taut skin over the soundbox. Once in tune it has a unique and captivating sound with something of the quality of a banjo due to the skin, but with a far more sophisticated aural sheen. It sounds amazing just to strum it, but of course Kohli did far more than that.
First on the bill was Raga Malkauns, based on a pentatonic scale that is unknown in Western music. An unaccompanied introductory 'Alap' was followed by a medium-tempo section in a 10 beat rhythmic cycle, which led to the conclusion in a 16 beat cycle, all executed with some aplomb by the musicians and appreciated by a capacity crowd.
Promoter Quotes "Fantastic opportunity for teachers to experience first hand an Indian classical music performance, providing inspiration to widen their children's cultural awareness." Jilly Hillier, Marlborough Brandt Group
"Simon and Dhyan performed at the Mivart Open Studios event, the music was beautiful and the audience was captivated." Eddie Martin, Blues Musician and Creative Industries Mentor
Audience Quotes "The music was absorbing, atmospheric...an enchanting evening that must be repeated!"
"Subtly crafted music...the music was captivating"
"The concert brought about a peaceful and happy heart and mind."
Simon Kohli's Set List / Repertoire
Traditional Indian Music - Please listen to the sound bites provided.
Showing
1 to 7 of 7 customer reviews for Simon Kohli in date order
25/06/2012 Simon Kohli
"Everyone was delighted with Simon's music. Many guests were fascinated by his instrument and he was very sociable.
I booked late and Graham was very proactive in assisting me. Having someone who is that familiar with the clients needs and the artists on their lists, makes it win-win situation for everyone. Would certain recommend and use you again. Many thanks.
"
Customer review by Gillian Hill
11/01/2011 Simon Kohli
"Just wanted to say Simon Kohli was very good, a pleasant guy, our client was very pleased and I think he really enjoyed the party/evening with us after he had performed."
Customer review by David Mitchell
17/09/2009 Simon Kohli
"An Exploration of Indian and Irish Music
Collaborative Concert of Indian and Irish instrumental folk music
Review of the concert at Dolgellau Music Club season in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor Hall, with Simon Kohli on Sarod, Ben Walker on Uilleann pipes and Irish flute, Chris Knowles on Celtic Harp and Irish Bouzouki and Tapan Roy on Tabla, Friday 3 April 2009. Written by Ben Ridler
'Different' was the word on many lips after the final concert of the Music Club season in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor on Friday 3rd April - a cautious reaction implying neither approbation nor dislike. This was understandable perhaps, given that as Simon Kohli himself put it the combination in one programme of Irish and Indian music was 'an exploration'. The audience as a whole seemed happy to join Simon and his three fellow musicians on this journey, and applauded them warmly for their expertise and inventiveness.
The programme began with Ben Walker introducing, and inflating the bellows of, his Uilleann ('elbow') pipes, on which he proceeded to play a beguiling three-part sequence of slow air, slip jig and reel - The Bright Lady, O'Farrell's Welcome and The Holly Bush. In the home of Sesiwn Fawr this was familiar and accessible territory. Less so was that of the next item - a spring Raga called 'Bahar' played in Alap style by Simon Kohli on the sarod. A member of the sitar family, this beautiful 26-stringed fretless instrument has a teak body, goatskin belly and at the peg end a brass bell for amplification. (This function is now mainly fulfilled by discreet use of a sound system; the requisite drone sounds are also augmented electronically.) A wide range of beautiful sounds can be produced, and Simon exploited these to the full. As in the Irish sequence a progression took place from slow to quick, which gave an overall shape for listeners. The challenge lies in the lack (from a Western point of view) of clear points of focus, so that it can be hard to pace one's listening, as it were; if you can tune in to this more diffuse, mantra-like way of experiencing music, the rewards are great.
Chris Knowles's Celtic harp now juxtaposed a haunting Gaelic air, Taimse Im Chodladh, followed by Miss Hamilton, the only surviving piece of Cornelius Lyons, a contemporary of the better-known Carolan. Tapan Roy on tabla joined Simon Kohli on sarod to bring the first half to a close with a faster version of the Bahar raga in 'Drut Teental' a 16-beat rhythmic cycle.
A high spot of the evening followed the interval as Tapan Roy expounded the unique language of his tabla (a very special pair of drums), amazing (and amusing) the audience with his virtuoso display of spoken and drummed syllables. The climax was 'Rela' ('railway'), a superb evocation in rhythm of the ever-changing motion of wheels on track (with a final cry of 'Station'!) Ben and Chris then combined for another Irish sequence. The 'exploration' proper involved all four musicians at once, first in 'The Broken Pledge' and 'My Love is in America', and then (with sarod, tabla, flute and Irish bouzouki) in 'Bhairav', one of the best-known ragas. Ben Walker on flute here took wing, adding in his improvisations a real sense of new music being born.
"
Customer review by Dolgellau Music Club
11/06/2009 Simon Kohli
"Captivating sound of the Indian Lute
Music of the Spheres: Simon Kohli & Tapan Roy
Review by Peter Ridsdale
The Sarod, a 25-stringed Indian lute is not an instrument heard too often in Thornbury and it was therefore a rare delight to hear it being played by Simon Kohli in the Chantry.
Accompanied by Tapan Roy on Tabla and by a digital drone box, Simon performed two classical Indian ragas. We were also treated to a Tabla solo in which Roy, one of Britain's most distinguished Tabla players, demonstrated some of the technical aspects of Tabla playing as well as 'Bols' the traditional mnemonic system of vocalising Tabla parts.
The Sarod has four main playing strings, four chikari (drone strings) and 17 sympathetic strings which vibrate when a corresponding not is played. These strings pass over a broad chrome fingerboard to a bridge on a taut skin over the soundbox. Once in tune it has a unique and captivating sound with something of the quality of a banjo due to the skin, but with a far more sophisticated aural sheen. It sounds amazing just to strum it, but of course Kohli did far more than that.
First on the bill was Raga Malkauns, based on a pentatonic scale that is unknown in Western music. An unaccompanied introductory 'Alap' was followed by a medium-tempo section in a 10 beat rhythmic cycle, which led to the conclusion in a 16 beat cycle, all executed with some aplomb by the musicians and appreciated by a capacity crowd.
"
Customer review by Thornbury Festival
03/04/2009 Simon Kohli
"An Exploration of Indian and Irish Music
Collaborative Concert of Indian and Irish instrumental folk music
Review of the concert at Dolgellau Music Club season in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor Hall, with Simon Kohli on Sarod, Ben Walker on Uilleann pipes and Irish flute, Chris Knowles on Celtic Harp and Irish Bouzouki and Tapan Roy on Tabla, Friday 3 April 2009. Written by Ben Ridler
'Different' was the word on many lips after the final concert of the Music Club season in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor on Friday 3rd April - a cautious reaction implying neither approbation nor dislike. This was understandable perhaps, given that as Simon Kohli himself put it the combination in one programme of Irish and Indian music was 'an exploration'. The audience as a whole seemed happy to join Simon and his three fellow musicians on this journey, and applauded them warmly for their expertise and inventiveness.
The programme began with Ben Walker introducing, and inflating the bellows of, his Uilleann ('elbow') pipes, on which he proceeded to play a beguiling three-part sequence of slow air, slip jig and reel - The Bright Lady, O'Farrell's Welcome and The Holly Bush. In the home of Sesiwn Fawr this was familiar and accessible territory. Less so was that of the next item - a spring Raga called 'Bahar' played in Alap style by Simon Kohli on the sarod. A member of the sitar family, this beautiful 26-stringed fretless instrument has a teak body, goatskin belly and at the peg end a brass bell for amplification. (This function is now mainly fulfilled by discreet use of a sound system; the requisite drone sounds are also augmented electronically.) A wide range of beautiful sounds can be produced, and Simon exploited these to the full. As in the Irish sequence a progression took place from slow to quick, which gave an overall shape for listeners. The challenge lies in the lack (from a Western point of view) of clear points of focus, so that it can be hard to pace one's listening, as it were; if you can tune in to this more diffuse, mantra-like way of experiencing music, the rewards are great.
Chris Knowles's Celtic harp now juxtaposed a haunting Gaelic air, Taimse Im Chodladh, followed by Miss Hamilton, the only surviving piece of Cornelius Lyons, a contemporary of the better-known Carolan. Tapan Roy on tabla joined Simon Kohli on sarod to bring the first half to a close with a faster version of the Bahar raga in 'Drut Teental' a 16-beat rhythmic cycle.
A high spot of the evening followed the interval as Tapan Roy expounded the unique language of his tabla (a very special pair of drums), amazing (and amusing) the audience with his virtuoso display of spoken and drummed syllables. The climax was 'Rela' ('railway'), a superb evocation in rhythm of the ever-changing motion of wheels on track (with a final cry of 'Station'!) Ben and Chris then combined for another Irish sequence. The 'exploration' proper involved all four musicians at once, first in 'The Broken Pledge' and 'My Love is in America', and then (with sarod, tabla, flute and Irish bouzouki) in 'Bhairav', one of the best-known ragas. Ben Walker on flute here took wing, adding in his improvisations a real sense of new music being born.
"
Customer review by Dolgellau Music Club
15/06/2007 Simon Kohli
"It went well. The Tabla & Sarod duo was just right for the occaison and both musicians played very well and in harmony. "
Customer review by Dr.Srivastava
11/05/2006 Simon Kohli
"Captivating sound of the Indian Lute
Music of the Spheres: Simon Kohli & Tapan Roy
Review by Peter Ridsdale
The Sarod, a 25-stringed Indian lute is not an instrument heard too often in Thornbury and it was therefore a rare delight to hear it being played by Simon Kohli in the Chantry.
Accompanied by Tapan Roy on Tabla and by a digital drone box, Simon performed two classical Indian ragas. We were also treated to a Tabla solo in which Roy, one of Britain's most distinguished Tabla players, demonstrated some of the technical aspects of Tabla playing as well as 'Bols' the traditional mnemonic system of vocalising Tabla parts.
The Sarod has four main playing strings, four chikari (drone strings) and 17 sympathetic strings which vibrate when a corresponding not is played. These strings pass over a broad chrome fingerboard to a bridge on a taut skin over the soundbox. Once in tune it has a unique and captivating sound with something of the quality of a banjo due to the skin, but with a far more sophisticated aural sheen. It sounds amazing just to strum it, but of course Kohli did far more than that.
First on the bill was Raga Malkauns, based on a pentatonic scale that is unknown in Western music. An unaccompanied introductory 'Alap' was followed by a medium-tempo section in a 10 beat rhythmic cycle, which led to the conclusion in a 16 beat cycle, all executed with some aplomb by the musicians and appreciated by a capacity crowd.
"
Customer review by Thornbury Festival
1
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Simon Kohli is based in Bristol, Somerset but most of the
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