Pantala is a new Los Angeles chamber ensemble led by composer and multi-instrumentalist James Waterman. The group brings together some of the city’s most distinctive cross-cultural voices, weaving Hindustani and Carnatic classical, Celtic, Balkan, West African, and Western classical traditions into original music that is bright, fiery, and intricate. The ensemble takes its name from Pantala flavescens, the globe skimmer dragonfly that crosses oceans on the longest migration of any insect, an image of music that carries melody and rhythm across borders.

The evening opens with an intimate duo of Chris Votek (cello) and Neelamjit Dhillon (tabla), exploring the meeting point of Western string playing and North Indian classical rhythm. Pantala then closes the program in full, with Waterman on guitar and percussion joined by Votek, Dhillon, Yvette Holzwarth (violin), Dimitris Mahlis (oud), and Madeline Barrett (piano), along with special guest sitarist Rajib Karmakar.

Featuring:

James Waterman, composer and multi-instrumentalist
Chris Votek, cello
Neelamjit Dhillon, tabla
Yvette Holzwarth, violin
Dimitris Mahlis, oud
Madeline Barrett, piano
Rajib Karmakar, sitar (special guest)