Ustad Anb Jogi

Today, I received news from friends Zulfikar and Saqib from Jamshoro that my dear friend and collaborator Ustad Anb Jogi passed away. He was performing at Sewan Sharif and died of a heart attack.

What can I say about this wonderful human being? He was an incredible musician. He applied his deep knowledge of classical tabla to dholak and created something unmatched. We collaborated on several projects over the years and he always provided a depth of knowledge and love in creating musical excellence, without ego and brought out the best in an ensemble.

We became dear friends, above and beyond the wonderful work we created together. His efforts were vital in putting together groups of musicians to record music for my short film ‘Gul’, two ‘Girnari Jogi Group’ (first album, second album) albums, a ‘Shah Jo Raagi’ album, a solo album for sitarist Shahid Ali and 6 albums based on the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. These were challenging experiences, helped by several kind people, but at the core of it all was Ustad Anb Jogi, without whom none of it would be possible.

Over the years, we were in contact on the phone, via whatsapp and I would get glimpses of Ustad sahib’s travels to perform in Dubai, the UK and Canada. He was a sought after accompanist, and to those in the know, an excellent music director. You could see the trust and respect that senior, contemporary and younger musicians had for him. People who really knew their work, looked to him for guidance during recording sessions. He could pick up almost any instrument and sing the part, or play it as instruction for others. He deserved far more recognition than he received. Though respected in his community, his classical musicianship was an area we tried to bring to a wider audience. I often spoke of him to institutions and groups that had the means to bring musicians out to the world with that level of respect.

In addition to this, I learned about his efforts to support his family and the larger Jogi community who during his lifetime went from wanderers to sedentary life. It was a huge change, that meant much reevaluation of how to live and how to survive. He supported much of his extended family financially and in so many ways that I will never know.

As if all of that was not enough, he was a wonderful friend. We shared meals together, accomplishments and challenges. I think of him always as I talk to people about our collaborations and the love that I have for all that he shared and all that he was as a much cherished human being. In recent times I have been in touch with his son Hakim Jogi, who under his guidance has become a gifted singer. He was a grandfather, a husband, a father, a community leader, an excellent musician and to me, always a dear friend.

Photos below. From the last time I met Ustad Sahib in London with my wife and son, to session photos taken by friend Saqib Ali and the second last photo by Saeed Mangee sahib from our first collaboration and the last photo, from our initial meeting thanks to Fatah Daudpoto sahib and Suffi Bilal Khalid sahib.

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Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Tea Party

I went to a tea party...no not that one. So, often times when disasters hit, they have long term affects that require assistance much after the actual event. I went to a charity tea party put on annually by the Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Fund of North Hollywood. This group has been working to sponsor a group of children orphaned during the Tsunami since shortly after the disaster. My friend Supun's mother, who is an incredible cook puts this and other fundraisers together throughout the year for great causes.

Two of my other friends, Jayson Joseph and Nisha Mathew Mani performed with their band performing Bollywood and regional Indian movie songs as well as a popular Sri Lankan number, and you can see the sketches I did of them.

There isn't really much to be found about this wonderful grassroots effort online, but here's a PDF about their inspiring work.

Tuesday Night Cafe Taz and Jayson

Now that I'm back in LA, I had a chance to visit the Tuesday Night Cafe in Downtown. Tuesday Night Cafe features community supported art. I love doing sketches of the performers. Here are some sketches of the performers.It was great to see the community come together and support music and poetry. It gave me a chance to get back into some quick and live watercolors.Here's one I did of Wes Gabrillo:

The Kominas and Sarmust in Los Angeles

So, I had a couple punk bands stay with me a few days while they were in town in LA. It was like an 11 person camp in the living room. Here are some sketches of the Kominas and Sarmust as they performed at Silver Factory Studios in downtown LA.

Alex Theatre LA Chamber Orchestra

Went to a fun performance by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at the Alex Theatre courtesy of my pal Dan Read. I was just about to do a little study of the whole orchestra when the last song came to a dramatic end. I had two pencil lines down and poof. Gone. Next time...

Music Class and Show

Here's a green pen sketch of some musical instruments at my music teacher's place. Also, playing around with my new pocket sized sketchbook at the Madrid Theatre. Gotta get some kind of tiny light so I can draw in dark places like in the theatre, but for now, just the lobby.

Markers in Santa Monica

Just hanging out with Tim and Gary in Santa Monica. Walking around, watching "House of Flying Daggers" and trying out these markers some more.

Taal and Karsh Kale

These are some sketches from Taal and Karsh Kale's performance at the Grand Avenue Festival a while back. Sitting directly in front of the stage, doing quick sketches made me kind of feel like I was part of the performance. Lots of fun to feed off of that energy and try to express it in lines! It's always interesting when someone notices you drawing them..and even better when they don't mind. Definately check them out.

Sidi Goma

Here are some sketches I did at a performance of Sidi Goma at their performance during the World Festival of Sacred Music. They are Indian descendents of Africans who migrated to India over 800 years ago. These particular ones were Sufi Muslims from Gujarat. It was a lot of fun doing really quick sketches of the performance, which was very playful and humerous at times as well as sincere in its devotion. Afterwards I spoke to some of the members. They were all very humble and appreciative. Interesting to see the similarities to Sufi culture I saw in Kasur, Pakistan at Bulleh Shah's Urs this past summer.

For some more info on them:

Event I went to.

WOMEX 2003

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