Amirtha Kidambi’s Elder Ones 14-10-24

ma 14 okt '24

Jazz with “spiritual punk”

Vocalist Amirtha Kidambi is a fixture on New York's experimental scene. She made her debut as a bandleader with Elder Ones, a group that bridged free jazz and Indian classical music in an idiosyncratic way.

Their third album, New Monuments (2024, We Jazz Records), is steeped in raw spiritual energy and activism.

Amirtha Kidambi’s Elder Ones
Amirtha Kidambi (zang, toetsen - Mary Halvorson's Code Girl, Darius Jones), Matt Nelson (sax - Battle Trance, Flying Luttenbachers), Alfredo Colon (sax - Henry Threadgill, Moses Sumney), Lester St. Louis (bas - Jaimie Branch's Fly or Die, Wendy Eisenberg's Darlin'), Jason Nazary (drums - Anteloper, Saint Abdullah).

Their activism

Kidambi turns her vocal chords into a powerful instrument that interweaves with the ensemble's seductive, hypnotic, and confrontational jazz melodies.

As part of today's American society, activism is no stranger to them. Their music confronts systems of oppression and explores themes of power, capitalism, colonialism, and white supremacy.

It feels like they are not alone on stage, but are carried by an ancient knowledge buried deep within the music. The subversive spirit and sense of collectivity that emerged during the mass demonstrations in New York City following the tragic murder of George Floyd.