Rajna Swaminathan
Mrudangam Meets Jazz
Groundbreaking South Indian percussionist bridging Carnatic music and jazz through innovative ensemble RAJAS.
About
Rajna Swaminathan is an acclaimed mrudangam artist, composer, and scholar who has pioneered the integration of South Indian percussion into contemporary jazz and creative music. Since 2011, she has collaborated extensively with prominent New York musicians including Vijay Iyer and Amir ElSaffar. She founded the ensemble RAJAS in 2013, which explores new textural and improvisational horizons at the nexus of multiple musical traditions.
Music Style
Her music weaves together South Asian rhythmic sensibilities with jazz improvisation and creative music, exploring relationships between pitch and rhythm across traditions. She creates expansive, boundary-breaking compositions that transcend naturalized musical categories.
Background
- Hometown
- Maryland, United States
- Education
- University of Maryland, College Park
- Instruments
- mrudangam, piano, vocals
- Active
- 2000s-present
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If you like Vijay Iyer, Amir ElSaffar — you'll love this artist