ABOUT
Since a chance encounter in 2012, the duo has been collaborating, mixing genres of music native to their cultural upbringing, infusing traditional elements of hip hop such as human beat-box, rhyming, and storytelling with Indian classical and Post-Western classical music.
Christylez is constantly pushing the envelope – from performances at the National Cathedral, to becoming the first Hip-Hop artist to be featured at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, composing and orchestrating an entire concert for a 12-piece orchestra commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Smithsonian Institute.
2013-2014 Strathmore Artist in Residence, Nistha Raj has been regarded as “stunningly skilled in western and eastern classical music” by the Washington City Paper. Nistha is emerging as a fresh voice in creative and world music. Her recently self-released debut album, “Exit 1”, funded by the Sparkplug Foundation, has been described as “edgy, innovative, and clearly awe-inspiring…Indian fusion at its best” (Inside World Music).
"Nistha Raj is mixing classical Hindustani music with modern sounds to bring it to a new generation of music lovers. ”
- Michael Martin, NPR Tell Me More
"Christylez Bacon, the hip-hop artist who stays ahead of the beat"
- Joe Heim, The Washington Post
CHRISTYLEZ
BACON
A beatboxer, guitar player and Grammy-nominated purveyor of progressive hip-hop Christylez is the founder of the Washington Sound Museum, a regular concert series at the Atlas Performing Arts Center that mixes hip-hop with traditional music from around the world. As a performer, Christylez multi-tasks between various instruments such as the West African djembe drum, acoustic guitar, and the human beat-box (oral percussion), all while continuing the oral tradition of storytelling through his lyrics.
“Part of what I connect that to is the humanity in Christylez’ lyrical content, which is something that we don’t get enough of today”
– Tavis Smiley, PBS
“Part of what I connect that to is the humanity in Christylez’ lyrical content, which is something that we don’t get enough of today”
– Tavis Smiley, PBS
“Part of what I connect that to is the humanity in Christylez’ lyrical content, which is something that we don’t get enough of today”
– Tavis Smiley, PBS
“Part of what I connect that to is the humanity in Christylez’ lyrical content, which is something that we don’t get enough of today”
– Tavis Smiley, PBS
NISTHA RAJ
A distinguished performer and teacher of Hindustani classical and Western classical violin, Nistha has performed in the United Nations, Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Department of State, the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC and at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, Canada, India and Poland. Nistha is a recipient of multiple grants from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, including the 2012 Artist Fellowship. Nistha’s deep connection to Hindustani classical music began in childhood. Her recently self-released debut album, “Exit 1”, funded by the Sparkplug Foundation, has been described as “edgy, innovative, and clearly awe-inspiring…Indian fusion at its best” (Inside World Music).
— Name, Title
Brian Falkowski is a versatile musician performing all styles of music on saxophones, flute, and clarinet throughout the DC metropolitan area. A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Music, he has also won top prizes at the Takoma Park Jazz Festival, Washington DC Blues Festival, Mu Phi Epsilon solo Competition, and Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. His 2011 debut album Transitions and the Zeitgeist Media progressive music documentary Romantic Warriors are just few of his accomplishments. He currently teaches privately and leads his band "Kaleidoscope",
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BRIAN FALKOWSKI
Avi Shah
Largely a self taught musician, Advait has been playing tabla since the age of eight. He has accompanied musicians in all genres of Indian music including Hindustani classical, ghazals, qawalis, film and devotional music. He has received training by the great Ustad Zakir Hussain and has shared the stage with Nisar Bazmi, Ustad Nafiz Ali Khan and Pandit Subroto Roy Choudury. He plays with fusion alternative rock group Banyan Trees as well as D.C. based music ensemble, Nootana. Aside from playing the dhol, and other percussion instruments, he is a practicing dentist as well.
Todd Simon
Todd Simon is a highly sought-after pianist in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area and currently serves as pianist and saxophonist for the Annapolis-based United States Naval Academy Band. The Delaware native has continued to establish his reputation on the local scene as an outstanding pianist, jazz organist, improviser, sight-reader, accompanist and composer. He has the album titled 'Simon Says' to his credit, exemplifying his musical ventures.
