Pakistani quartet Jaubi are best described as improvisers rather than a band that operates within a particular genre. Although their instrumentation – featuring the tabla and stringed sarangi – might reference south Asian classical traditions and their collaborators Tenderlonious and Latarnik come largely from the world of jazz, theirs is a music that traverses traditions.
The group first came to prominence with their covers of head-nodding hip-hop classics from the likes of J Dilla and Nas, before featuring with flautist Tenderlonious on the spiritual jazz-inspired Ragas From Lahore in 2020. Last year they released their debut album, Nafs at Peace, which consisted of electronically inflected ragas. For tonight’s debut UK performance, they lean towards the intersections between jazz soloing and the melodic cycles of Indian classical music – with a hint of swing thanks to the ride cymbal work of guest drummer Tim Carnegie, who sits in for usual percussionist Qammar Abbas.
Read the review in the Guardian.
[This piece was published on 19/08/22]