(Posted January 26, 2015)

The Bhangra band Red Baraat will play a concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, in Rosenberger Auditorium in the Halbritter Center for the Arts. For tickets and information about the Juniata College Presents series, please call (814) 641-JTIX (5849).
The Bhangra band Red Baraat will play a concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, in Rosenberger Auditorium in the Halbritter Center for the Arts. For tickets and information about the Juniata College Presents series, please call (814) 641-JTIX (5849).

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Big band meets raga as Red Baraat combines the jazzy use of Indian drums called dhols with a horn section worthy of the Stan Kenton Big Band at a concert at Juniata College at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6, in Rosenberger Auditorium in the Halbritter Center for the Arts.

For tickets and information about the Juniata College Presents series, please call (814) 641-JTIX (5849). General admission tickets for single performances are $20, except where otherwise noted. Single-show tickets for seniors over age 65 and children age 18 and under are $12. Juniata College students are admitted free with a student ID.

Red Baraat, who played at Juniata two years ago, has played college campuses across the country. The band blends contemporary jazz and funk, mixed with the percussion-based drum-based Indian music called "Bhangra."

Bhangra music is based on the simple Indian drum called the dhol, a double-sided, barrel-shaped instrument performed while slung over one shoulder. Red Baraat adds in a sousaphone (a marching band tuba) and five brass horns. The audience will see performers blowing their soul into equal parts world music and big band jazz.

Founded by drummer Sunny Jain, the group released its debut album, "Chaal Baby," in 2009. The group, described as "New Orleans-New York-New Delhi," was formed in 2008 after Jain's long career as a jazz sideman with such performers as Norah Jones, Roy Hargrove and Dewey Redman.

"A New Orleans brass street band playing Bollywood tunes with a go-go beat."

National Public Radio

The group also released a live CD, "Bootleg Bhangra." Their latest album is "Gaadi of Truth."

Jain plays the dhol drum and acts as the group emcee. He started as a jazz drummer on a traditional drum kit, and first played the dhol professionally in the 2004 Broadway show "Bombay Dreams." He also was named a Jazz Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State in 2002.

The other musicians in Red Baraat include: Rohin Khemani, percussion; Tomas Fujiwara, drums; Ernest Stuart, trombone; Mike Bomwell, soprano saxophone; Sonny Singh, trumpet and vocals; MiWi La Lupa, bass trumpet; and John Altieri, sousaphone.

A reviewer for National Public Radio said Red Baraat is, "a New Orleans brass street band playing Bollywood tunes with a go-go beat."

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.