<img style="float: left;" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/sep/the-guide-logo.gif" alt="" width="150" height="36" />What started as guitarist and composer Sanjay Divecha approaching singer-songwriter Vasundhara Vee with an idea to collaborate, soon saw a trio of talented musicians &mdash; Gino Banks (drummer), Karan Joseph (keyboardist) and Sheldon D&rsquo;Silva (bassist) &mdash; recruited to form the group Merkaba.
<img title="Sanjay Divecha" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/may/11Sanjay-Divecha.jpg" alt="Sanjay Divecha" /> Sanjay Divecha
&ldquo;Our music is a combination of a variety genres including Pop, R &lsquo;n&rsquo; B, Blues, Rock, Soul, Jazz, Gospel and Funk,&rdquo; said Divecha, who has worked on the soundtrack for the film 127 Hours and has also performed with musicians such as Angelique Kidjo and Carlos Santana. &ldquo;We are exposed to so many styles of music today. So, when I write and compose, all these influences are already there,&rdquo; he explains.
<img title="Sheldon D&rsquo;Silva" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/may/Sheldon-High-Rez-copy.jpg" alt="Sheldon D&rsquo;Silva" /> Sheldon D&rsquo;Silva
Vocalist Vasundhara Vee says, &ldquo;The music is consumable and listenable because of the rhythm section, which consists of Gino and Sheldon pieces. Thereis a lot of harmonic richness in the sound, but the groove is paramount and all the songs are grooving really hard.&rdquo;
<img title="Gino Banks" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/may/Gino-copy-(2).jpg" alt="Gino Banks" /> Gino Banks
Vee is currently working on The Next Collective, which is based out of Delhi, with musician Tarun Balani.
&ldquo;We are re-inventing R &lsquo;n&rsquo; B music. However, most of the content is based on our spiritual philosophies that are specific to India,&rdquo; she says.
<img title="Karan Joseph" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/may/Karan-Joseph.jpg" alt="Karan Joseph" /> Karan Joseph
When asked about the future of Merkaba, Divecha says, &ldquo;This is a huge project and it has barely begun. Right now, the collaboration and the songs are just taking birth. The idea would be to keep playing it and in a while record this music. But, most importantly, play the music so that each time we can expand it and take it to new heights.&rdquo;
<img title="Vasundhara Vee" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2016/may/Dhaka-Jazz-Fest.jpg" alt="Vasundhara Vee" /> Vasundhara Vee
Divecha who was hesitant to label the genre said that to him it is simply music with soul and a modern sound. The set-list comprises 11 original songs, with lyrics that delve into a variety of topics including social issues.

What started as guitarist and composer Sanjay Divecha approaching singer-songwriter Vasundhara Vee with an idea to collaborate, soon saw a trio of talented musicians &mdash; Gino Banks (drummer), Karan Joseph (keyboardist) and Sheldon D&rsquo;Silva (bassist) &mdash; recruited to form the group Merkaba

Four musicians have formed a new band to present a burst of Western genres

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Mumbai-guide / Famous Personalities / Article / Four musicians have formed a new band to present a burst of Western genres

Four musicians have formed a new band to present a burst of Western genres

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast