Sitar/FX

Galen Passen is a sitarist, composer, and visual artist based in Brooklyn, NYC. He lived in New Delhi, India between 2009 and 2017 studying hindustani music in the Imdadkhani gharana under Gopal Krishan Shahji. He continues to honor this profound art form under the tutelage of Abhik Mukherjeeji. Passen performs Hindustani classical music, cross-cultural collaborations, collaborations with dance, and multi media movement theatre. He has had the privilege of performing at such prestigious venues as SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center), legendary folk venue Caffe Lena, The Center for Remembering and Sharing (CRS), Chhandayan Center for Indian Music, and Pioneer Works amongst others. He has worked with The Pittsburgh Opera, Brooklyn Raga Massive, The Silk Road Project’s GMW, and Korean Piri master, Gamin Kang. His visual work has been featured in arts publications and commissioned for books, album covers, and personal collections. He received his bachelor's degree from Goddard College whose emphasis on social ethics and critical thinking helped to develop his understanding of the formidable influence and responsibility of all culture workers.

Guitar/FX

James Labrosse was born in a Spanish speaking neighborhood in South Florida, to a French-Canadian family. At the age of 18, James moved from his native Florida to Andalucia, Spain to study and immerse himself in the Flamenco music and tradition. After 3 years of this lifestyle, James relocated to Boston, MA to attend Berklee College of Music, where he studied Production and Arranging under the wings of several spectacular teachers and mentors. In 2015, upon graduating, James relocated to New York City, where he is currently based. James is an active performer in the NYC tri-state area where he leads his own band performing his original compositions and arrangements. In 2018, James released his debut full-length album, “Orange Night”. Which features collaborations with several up and coming artists from the NYC area, as well as a Spain and Asia. 2018 was also the year James was awarded endorsement from Godin Guitars, the reliable guitar brand that James uses in the majority of his live performances. In 2022, James released the EP, “Duckland: which features 3 original compositions including “Florido y Granado”, a long time member of James’ repertoire.

Aside from leading and performing with his own group, James has performed and collaborated as a side-man with several excellent artists including Mona Miari, Han Beyli, Baklava Express, and playing second guitar for guitarist Andreas Arnold. You can follow James Labrosse on social media and stay up to date with his upcoming performances and releases.

Tabla

Tripp Dudley is an accomplished tabla player, drummer and percussionist with performance experience in many diverse musical traditions. His deep groove and virtuosity across multiple instruments have paved the way for his many journeys around the world with many different artists. He has performed with: Pandit Samir Chatterjee, Dan Weiss, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Jamshied Sharifi, Maartin Allcock, Pete Zorn, John Ragusa, Adam Rudolph, Rogério Boccato, Hamid Drake,Tim Keiper, Matt Kilmer, Brooklyn Raga Massive, Simrit, Snatam Kaur, Jai Jagdeesh, Salieu Suso, Mirabai Ceiba, Bolé, Shannon Hayden, Jared May, Salif Bamakora and many others. Tripp’s strength with uncommon rhythmic cycles and polyrhythmic concepts led him to find the tabla, a drum from the North Indian classical tradition. He has been a dedicated student of tabla for over 15 years, and was initiated as a formal disciple by Pandit Samir Chatterjee, continuing a teacher-student lineage that dates back almost 300 years. Tripp has taught many workshops and private lessons, and played thousands of concerts in more than 25 different countries. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and endorses Saluda cymbals.