Ottawa (August 1, 2007) — This year's 'Musical Tour of the World' Chamberfest promised audiences something entirely different, and this is what the music ensemble Autorickshaw will deliver when it fills St. Matthew's Anglican Church with its exotic and mesmerizing rhythms.

The Autorickshaw ensemble is credited with some of the most exciting and interesting young musicians on the fusion/world music scene. Vocalist Suba Sankaran, tabla player Ed Hanley, bassist Dylan Bell, and Patrick Graham on percussion are renowned for integrating jazz, funk, folk and other styles.

"When their forces are combined, the results are utterly unique and musically pioneering," is how one critic describes them.

Formed in 2003, Autorickshaw's intriguing fusion of Eastern and Western musical cultures has taken it to Washington DC's Kennedy Center, Joes's Pub in New York, and major festivals across Canada. This is its first visit to Chamberfest.

Trichy Sankaran became seriously interested in the art of drumming at the age of seven, while still in India. Specializing in the South Indian drum (mrdangam), he is credited with raising the mrdangam and kanjira to the status of solo instruments.

".Sankaran is a fabulous musician . His unfailingly inventive handling of rhythm, texture - and even pitch - and his tireless execution riveted attention ." is how The New York Times described his mastery.

Chamberfest audiences have two opportunities to catch the Carnatic (one of two styles of Indian classical music) sounds of the Autorickshaw ensemble.

• East Meets West: new approaches to the classical music of India
  St. Matthew's Anglican Church. 8 pm. Thursday, August 2.
• Late Night Curry!
  Autorickshaw continues the musical journey to the Indian sub-continent in an upbeat late-night concert that fuses classical Indian music with modern Western influences.
  St. Matthew's Anglican Church. 11 pm. Thursday, August 2.

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For Chamberfest programme, venue and ticketing information see: www.chamberfest.com

Frances Phillips, (613) 234-8008 Ex. 241; Mob. (613) 852-7848; or email media@chamberfest.com