Rahul Sharma, who wowed the audiences with his collaboration with well-known pianist Richard Clayderman last year, is back with another musical collaboration. This time he pairs with famous saxophonist Kenny G. “I gifted Kenny a couple of my CDs when he came down two years ago. He loved the musicality of santoor and suggested that we should collaborate,” says Rahul. Kenny was moved by the sound of the santoor and wanted to take it forward with an album.
Their album Namaste India is a compilation of seven tracks, which bring out a beautiful blend of the santoor and saxophone. “The santoor is a string instrument while the saxophone is a woodwind instrument. Both of them are completely different from each other and it would be an unconventional attempt to bring these two instruments together,” says Rahul. The thought of this unusual fusion challenged him all the more. “With Clayderman, I knew how it would fuse since santoor and piano are stringed instruments. But this was a complete surprise, in that sense,” says Rahul. He says that he has had a good time working with Clayderman and Kenny. “Kenny would always leave scope for improvisation and his way of taking off and coming back to music was interesting to know. Saxophone as an instrument has so many different tones which is surprising,” says Rahul.
Every track of their latest album stands out and has a unique element. “The album opens with Namaste India which is an upbeat and uptempo track. That sort of peps you up. Similarly there are a couple of tracks, which have a melody of their own. Like Dance of the Elephant God is interesting as we have used a ghatam there,” says Rahul. Each of the tracks has a unique Indian touch to it. How did Kenny connect with that idea? “That was the whole idea of this album, where we wanted to bring Indianness in the saxophone. Kenny loved the idea and the concept of the trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva and the transcendental consciousness. It gave scope for so much exploration,” says Rahul. The album also contains another track, Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum…from Silsila. “It was during my growing up years that I was a big fan of Silsila and this was my favourite track. I loved the way Amitji spoke in this song and till date it remains one of my favourites,” says Rahul.
He says that Kenny and he have plans of taking this forward into a live concert. “I too hope a live concert happens soon and we are working around that,” he adds.