Percussionist gives college break from lectures
Josh Ray

Diversions Editor

A mixture of music including Indian reggae and jazz will be performed by Sandip Burman for the India Semester.

On Tuesday, Burman, a world-famous musician, will visit Missouri Southern as part of his "East Meets Jazz" tour across the country. He will be playing with renowned guitarist Paul Bollenback and saxophonist David Pietro. Dr. Chad Stebbins, director of the Institute of International Studies, said the group's appearance will make a good break from the lectures of the semester.

"It seemed like a nice addition to our India Semester list of activities," Stebbins said.

Sandip's performance at Southern will also fit well into his own schedule of the tour. He plays in St. Louis on Monday and in Kansas the night after the Joplin concert.

The group will be performing numerous pieces, ranging from slower paced to faster tempo songs. Burman said the group is talking of "doing different stuff" during the concert.

Burman, who will play tabla, guitar and saxophone in the concert, said he is looking forward to playing at the College. He thinks it will be a great point in his tour.

"I've never played there," he said. "I wanted to play to get that experience."

The group was referred to Stebbins by Pete Havely in the music department. The group s members have achieved fame in their own way. Burman has toured with Bela Fleck and performed with Danny Elfman on the Mars Attacks soundtrack. Bollenback has played on "The Tonight Show" and "Entertainment Tonight," and Pietro performed alongside Blood Sweat & Tears and Ray Charles.

Stebbins expects a nice turnout for the concert. He said it should be fun for people who are interested in cultural events.

"In the past, we found that our cultural events are always the best attended," he said.

Burman said the concert should be pleasing to its audience and "people like it." He also said he is planning on bringing nice music to Southern.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Webster Hall Auditorium and is free to the public.

Special to The Chart

Sandip Burman, right, performs on the drums with Bela Fleck. The duet performed together at the Telluride Bluegrass Jazz Festival.