Sahul Sakti: Our Spanish Soul

Join improvisation ensemble Sahul Sakti as our musical caravan journeys to Spain. It's our first gig of the year and we would love to see you as we do what the Spanish do - drink chilled beverages on a warm summer's night, enjoy the long daylight hours, and listen to live music.

In this performance, Sahul Sakti will invoke its Spanish soul and celebrate the deep personal and musical connections we have with the Spanish-speaking world. We'll recall the spirit of exploration that was in albums such as 'My Spanish Heart' (Chick Corea), 'Sketches of Spain' (Miles Davis), and 'Global Fusion' (Dr. L. Subramaniam), all of which are significant musical influences for us.

Flamenco folk duo Luke Kozsański (guitar) and Huich Goh (violin) will send our caravan on its way with a set of flamenco and folk - inspired originals and a sprinkling of classic compositions. Borne out of the joy of creating music together and a shared love for flamenco music and Spain, this project is also a quest to make the violin and guitar sing to one another.

Sahul Sakti is also delighted to introduce the vocalist Nicholas Saunders and friends as our opening act. Together with guitarist Valentin Rodriguez, bassist Calum Wakeling, and drummer Ned Hope, Nicholas will present a mixture of works, including a few of his own songs, some free improvisation with incorporation of his original poetry, and his arrangement of the Latin-American folk song ‘La Llorona'.

And gracing the night will be special guest Suneth Fernando on tabla. Originally from Sri Lanka, Suneth is a percussionist who studied tabla with Visharada Sisira Liyanawatta and performs on over 12 drumming instruments from various countries. He is known for his vibrant energy that he brings to performances.

Te esperamos! We wait for you! Hasta pronto!

About Sahul Sakti

Sahul Sakti is an improvisation ensemble whose Sahul Sakti is an improvisation ensemble who draws on the members' post-classical, Brazilian, Asia-Pacific, jazz, and experimental music influences to create a sound that is rooted in friendship, imagination, and a deep exploration of acoustic possibilities. This project is inspired by the great global fusion ensembles such as Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, Shakti, Dr. L Subramaniam, L. Shenkar, Nigel Kennedy, Mestre Acordeon, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

About Luke Koszański and Huich Goh

Luke Koszański (guitar), one of the finest guitarists in Melbourne and regularly seen on Melbourne's stages, and Huich Goh (violin), a genre-defying freewheeling violinist, come together in a project that makes the violin and guitar sing to one another.Known for their expressive, inventive, and sensitive playing, the duo combines their rich musical experiences to bring original compositions that are inspired by flamenco, Irish, Scottish, and folk music from across the world. Exquisite guitar playing interwoven with violin melodies that will certainly stir the heart and soul.

About Nicholas Saunders and friends

Nicholas Saunders is a Melbourne-based Vocalist, Composer, and Improviser. With a unique and powerful voice, his work has a distinct identity, drawn from a collective of musical traditions and styles including jazz, classical, Latin, folk and experimental music. To open for Sahul Sakti, he is joined by fellow artists, Valentin Rodriguez (Guitar), Calum Wakeling (Bass) and Ned Hope (Drums/Percussion). Nicholas is proud to present a diverse array of works, including his original music, free improvisation, spoken word and more.