The Raga Duo
For the past decade, this duo have enriched hundreds of events with their unique flare for improvisation on sitar and tabla. Whether at concerts, recordings, corporate events, weddings or receptions, their playing has been consistently praised for its finesse and beauty.
The sitar player offers the unique option of playing Western pop music (if required) by playing along to professional backing tracks and using the sitar as the melody instrument. This can be as a soloist or with tabla.
The classic sound of sitar and tabla provides a subtle and stylish ambience. Both musicians are gifted in their own right. Jonathan (sitar) has performed with the likes of Dave Stewart, Sir Paul McCartney, The Dub Pistols, Sarah Brightman and Ashok Dutta, and has appeared on BBC TV. Neil (tabla) has recently toured with Christian Garrick's Firewire Ensemble and the fusion band Deva, and has recorded for the BBC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and many others. Previous clients and venues include Aveda, Pfizer, The Officer's Association, Blenheim Palace, Crockfords, HM Treasury, The Wentworth Club, The Yoga Therapy Centre (Islington) and hundreds of private clients. Whatever the occasion, ragarasa will provide sensuous, atmospheric music pitched to the exacting standards of the most discerning client.
The Sitarist began his musical training at an early age and at 16, resolved to be a sitarist. His teachers have included Clem Alford (the first ever European sitarist), Subroto Roy Chowdhury and Wajahat Khan. he gained a B.Mus (Hons) from the Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied both sitar and composition. He has played with artists such as The Bingham String Quartet, The Bombay Dub Orchestra, Kumar Bose, Shiv Shankar Ray, Rohan de Saram, John Wilson, Sarah Brightman and Sir Paul McCartney. His solo album was released by Cooking Vinyl Records. His compositions have been performed by Erich Gruenburg, Joji Hattori, Indo-Jazz Fusions and for orchestra. He has toured worldwide as a soloist and in various ensembles.
"astonishingly virtuosic" - Classic CD
"exhilarating solos from him on sitar" - The Times
James works with various tabla players for this duo.
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The Raga Duo
Utterly amazing duo with sitar and tabla. What a captivating performance from this talented duo. Come again, the audience was blown away!
N/A | July 2024
City of London, Corporate Event
They played outdoors to a North Park audience on a hot sunny afternoon. Their performance was mesmeric and delighted all providing a moment of tranquillity in an otherwise turbulent world.
Event organiser | August 2022
North Park
The playing was fantastic, virtuosic and hugely meaningful, as they played for my walk down the aisle. So many guests came up to us afterwards to praise the duo, as they played at our wedding, and I wish in retrospect I had asked them to stay longer, as the priest actually mentioned them during the ceremony, saying it would have been lovely to have them still playing!
Amita Sharma | June 2022
North Mymms Park, Hatfield, Wedding
Jonathan was great! We caught up the day before to practise the technology piece & on the actual day everything worked a treat! The music was a joy and being able to stream a private performance was a wonderful alternative to it not going ahead with social distancing in force.
Varsha Sanderson | March 2020
We found The Raga Duo very professional in every way. They arrived on time and set up before our guests arrived. They dressed according to our request. The sitar and tabla playing was to a high standard. As requested, they also included some well known popular western and Indian song tunes which were enjoyed by all. We found them both very pleasant, well mannered and polite.
Mrs Cox | August 2019
Kent, Wedding
We were delighted that you were able to play at our formal Divisional Guest Night at the Joint Services Command and Staff College. Despite the international attendance on the course, most of the attendees were not familiar with the sitar and tabla, but really enjoyed the opportunity to experience this music which is not traditional at these types of function. It was excellent background accompaniment in the dining hall. You were also thoroughly professional, friendly and flexible to fit into the order of events.
Phil Game
The Raga Duo
Alongside their Bollywood and classical repertoire this versatile duo can also perform a few Western pop songs:
- Across The Universe
- All of Me
- Billy Jean
- Can’t Stop The Feeling
- Fields of Gold
- Have yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- Thinking Out Aloud
- Hurdy Gurdy Man
- Moonrvier
- Ne Me Quitte Pas
- Say You Won’t Let Go
- Silent Night
- Stay With Me
- That’s What I Like
- Blackbird
- Thriller
- I’m Dreaming Of A White Xmas
- Windmill Of Your Mind
Based in Greater London
