Shankh & Friends Concert

Date: Wednesday, Novmber 1, 2026
Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm (5pm Check-in, Tea & Snacks)

Admission: Free Admission, Donations Encouraged.

Venue: Moe Auditorium and Film Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Shankh Lahiri & Friends: From Tradition to World Music

Shankh Lahiri & Friends present a unique musical journey—from the ancient traditions of Indian classical music to its contemporary evolution through jazz and world music.

First Half: Indian Classical Bansuri and Tabla Duet

The first half of the program will feature an intimate Indian classical duet by bansuri virtuoso Shri Jay Gandhi and internationally acclaimed tabla artist Shankh Lahiri Ji.

Rooted in the profound traditions of raga and tala, their performance will explore the beauty of improvisation, rhythmic dialogue, and musical spontaneity.

Shri Jay Gandhi — Bansuri

Shri Jay Gandhi is one of the senior disciples of legendary bansuri maestro Pandit

Hariprasad Chaurasia. Following the traditional guru-shishya parampara, Jay spent many years living and studying in his guru’s gurukul in India, immersing himself deeply in Hindustani classical music.

Jay also formally studied jazz performance at the Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music in Ohio, where he trained under jazz luminaries including Gary Bartz and the late Marcus Belgrave.

His continuing exploration of Indian classical music and jazz has led to performances with renowned artists such as Ravi Coltrane, Reggie Workman, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and legendary tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders.

Jay tours internationally as an Indian classical performer and as a collaborator in innovative experimental music projects.

Learn More:
jaygandhi.com

Shankh Lahiri Ji — Tabla and Vocals

Shankh Lahiri Ji is an internationally touring tabla artist, composer, vocalist, and educator. He is the founder of the Shruti Foundation, Shruti School of Music, Shankh & Friends Global Project, and WAHH! World Fusion Band.

Born into a family deeply rooted in Indian classical music, Shankh is the son of sitarist and guru Shri Rabi Lahiri. Immersed in Hindustani music from an early age, he received intensive training in both vocal music and tabla from his father and later earned degrees in both disciplines.

Throughout his career, Shankh has shared the stage with legendary artists including Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Shujaat Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez, and many others. His international tours have taken him throughout Germany, France, Switzerland, Canada, the Middle East, and beyond.

He has appeared at prestigious venues and festivals including Carnegie Hall, the House of Blues, Rockwood Music Hall, the Sanremo Music Festival, and South by Southwest.

Learn More:
shrutifoundationtampa.org

Second Half: Shankh & Friends — A Global Music Project

In the second half of the program, Shankh & Friends invite audiences on a transcendent musical journey in which ancient traditions pulse vibrantly within contemporary soundscapes.

Their artistry unfolds as a living mosaic, woven with enigmatic harmonies, bold arrangements, and irresistible polyrhythms. Infused with global influences and an unmistakable touch of sonic alchemy, the ensemble creates music that feels at once meditative, adventurous, sacred, and electrifying.

At the heart of this ever-evolving collective is Shankh Lahiri Ji—a master of tabla and vocals whose artistry is deeply rooted in the rich lineage of Indian classical music. Through meditative ragas and dazzling taals, he bridges timeless tradition with contemporary expression, guiding audiences into a dynamic cross-cultural dialogue.

Joining him are Jay Gandhi, Bobak, Siddarth “Sid” Sivaram, and Cletus—artists whose distinctive musical voices ignite the ensemble’s global conversation.

Jay Gandhi — Bansuri

Jay Gandhi brings the lyrical beauty of the bansuri together with a musical sensibility shaped by both Hindustani classical music and jazz.

Bobak — Guitar

Drawing inspiration from his Persian heritage, Bobak layers swirling guitar textures with evocative melodic leads, adding depth, atmosphere, and color to the ensemble’s sound.

Siddarth “Sid” Sivaram — Saxophone

Siddarth “Sid” Sivaram brings a masterful and uniquely expressive combination of Carnatic raga traditions and jazz sophistication to the saxophone.

A disciple of the great Kadri Gopalnath—the pioneering master who established the saxophone as a powerful voice in Carnatic music—Sid carries this remarkable legacy into a contemporary global setting.

Cletus — Bass

On bass, Cletus draws upon the deep grooves of Jamaican rhythm, anchoring the ensemble with soulful, resonant bass lines.

Bridging Cultures Through Music

Together, Shankh & Friends shape music not only as an art form, but also as a powerful bridge between cultures, traditions, and communities.