AN internationally acclaimed sitarist will be delivering an intimate performance in Mossley for one night only.
Jasdeep Singh Degun is steeped in the North Indian classical tradition and is proudly born and raised across the Pennines in Leeds, west Yorkshire.
He has been described as “breaking down cultural boundaries” with his “youthful energy”.
At The Vale on Saturday, November 18, Jasdeep will perform a piece of classical music from northern India, accompanied by tabla (hand drums).
He has practised his craft all over the globe – including at Buckingham Palace; the Amphitheatre in Doha, Qatar; at last year’s Royal Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, and at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
Jasdeep has performed as a concert soloist with many Western classical orchestras, including the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He was announced as Opera North’s artist in residence in 2022.
Signed to the prestigious Real World Records, he released his debut album Anomaly under the guidance of celebrated musician and producer Nitin Sawhney. It was nominated for Best Album in this year’s Songlines Music Awards, and topped the Best world music albums of 2022 chart in the Financial Times newspaper.
Jasdeep didn’t start to study the sitar – a plucked string instrument used in Hindustani classical music – until the relatively late age of 15, under Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE.
Taken initially as a secondary instrument to his voice, Jasdeep soon made the decision to focus primarily on sitar – which has been used to great effect on tracks by both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Johnny Clifford, programming manager at The Vale in Mossley, said: “Jasdeep’s extraordinary artistry and unique approach to composition brings a new energy and vision to both Indian classical and contemporary music.
“He is truly redefining genres and is an important modern advocate for music from his heritage to audiences across the globe.”
Jasdeep comes to The Vale, at Vale Mill on Micklehurst Road, on Saturday, November 18, from 7.30pm to 11.30pm. Tickets are £15, with concessions £12.50, and can be bought online at https://www.the-vale.co.uk/event/jasdeep-singh-degun/