Fusion

Geetha’s experiments with the fusion of Indian classical music and western styles began in the mid 1990’s with a performance at Colgate University, Hamilton, New York. She was invited conductor by Dr. William Skelton to perform sections of Rimsky-Korsakoff’s ‘Scheherazade‘ as a veena soloist with the Colgate University Orchestra . She improvised veena solos in place of the traditional composed violin solos. Subsequently she performed a veena concerto in 2001, ‘Asian Colors’, composed by Frank Bennett , with the Utica Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Schneider.

Other fusion projects have included a major tour of Europe and the U.S. with percussionist Trilok Gurtu’s world music ensemble. The tour was preceded by a recording, ‘The Glimpse’, on CMP Records, London.

Geetha has also performed both as a veena player and vocalist on guitarist Andy Summers’ fusion album ‘ Peggy’s Blue Skylight‘’ showcasing compositions of jazz bassist Charles Mingus.

Recent fusion projects in the Los Angeles area include performances and a recording with Paul Livingstone’s Arohi Ensemble.

She also performed several fusion works by Frank Bennett and pianist Larry Karush in the Sacred Music Festival, Los Angeles, in 1999. Her vocal rendition of ‘Mokshamugalada’, composed by Tyagaraja and arranged by Frank Bennett, has been released by the Oxford University Press in a new book, ‘ Music In South India’ by T. Viswanathan and Matthew Harp Allen.