Ekendra Das Charts on the CMJ Ñ Alternative Chart for His 14th Week in a Row

Ekendra Das Chart For His 14th Week in a Row on the CMJ Ñ Alternative Chart, peaking at #14 So Far!

Ekendra Das is a multi-percussionist and drummer whose relationship with the drum goes back to his childhood. He often jammed with the musicians that played at the Blue Cornet night club managed by his father in New York. Musicians like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespe and others. Ekendra’s uncle, a famous Katherine Dunham dancer, arranged for Ekendra’s first recording, singing and playing percussion on a Harry Belefonte recording. The spark was lit; music and the drum became a huge part of Ekendra’s life.

Ekendra went on to study drumming and music under various teachers from all styles. Ekendra worked the New York music scene after college, working with artists like Kashif, Living Color’s Vernon Reid, JazzMobile all stars, sax man Carlos Garnett, Pharaoh Saunders, Nat Aderly Jr., and a special performance with Dizzy Gillespe. Broadway shows and major dance companies also used his percussive skills. When Ekendra was offered a job working in Africa he took it as an opportunity for first hand drum and percussion study of Africa percussion. This also found him playing with African artists like Sonny Okoso, Kofi Ghanaba, Banda and Congolese artist Africa One. Ekendra decided to visit India on a vacation and fell in love with the music and returned several times to study both music and philosophy. Ekendra has played Indian percussion for artists both recording and live performances.

Ekendra began a refreshed music career after returning to the States, playing and recording with Fertile Ground, David Bach, Raheem Davaughn, Mary Ann Redmond, Imani, Tim Eyerman, Caje Mosaic, Bottomland, Amikaelya, Anthony David, The D.C. Mass Choir, Havana Select, Frank Macomb, Brian Culbertson, Marcus Johnson Project, Al Williams, Scott Ambush, Julie Dexter and others; including international artists Chucho Valdes, Susana Baca, Marixtrell, Armand Ntep, Rashik Priya, Los Munoquitos, Filipe Villamil and Emekeke.

One of the most inspiring moments was playing the Smithsonian Institute tribute to Celia Cruz with Havana Select. Ekendra has for the last eleven years been the percussionist for the soul/ jazz and world music, group Fertile Ground, recording and touring the world and sharing stages with everyone from BB King to the Black Eyed Peas. Ekendra continues to teach workshops and clinics as well as private instruction. Ekendra is also a member of PASIC and the Drum circle facilitators’guild.

World Radio 108 is a collection of musicians bought together by Ekendra Das who come from various musical and cultural backgrounds who are united by the common interest in inspired music, there are no formulas, or limitations, this is heart music, from ours to yours. WR108 marks the introduction of Ekendra as a producer and composer.

WR108 is about the message and the music, we hope that you find the moods and grooves in this recording help make your day better for years to come. Ethnomusicology its academic meaning, is the study of the music of various cultures, Ekendra Das is himself a study in various cultures having lived and been inspired by music and cultures from Africa to India, Europe South America and the Caribbean., Having played for over 25yrs in all musical Genres from Jazz to Hip Hop , Afro Cuban, to Indian
Bhajans, and for years has been the percussive power behind the group Fertile Ground.

Add to that mix the rich multicultural tapestry that is WR108. The results the kind of music that you want to listen to now and for years to come. We all have many moods so why can’t the music we listen to also have many moods, WR108 is a musical experience, a sound track to life.