Jazzland Recordings

Bansal Band performs original compositions in the raaga tradition by Harpreet Bansal. In addition to Bansal on the violin, the band members are Andreas Bratlie (tablas, percussion), Adrian Myhr (bass), Vojtech Prochazka (piano) and Javid Afsari Rad (santur). 

The foundation of Bansal’s compositions is her upbringing in the North Indian classical musical tradition, with her father as her first tutor. The arrangements are a group effort under the guidance of producer Jan Martin Smørdal. The open form of the arrangements invite the musicians to utilize their respective musical backgrounds in improvisation and spontaneous music-making. 

Bansal Band´s aesthetic spectrum is wide: melancholy, tranqulity and dignity alternate with the virtuosity, energy and passion. Drawing from the immensely powerful source that is hindustani music, Bansal Band aims to reach a broad audience both in Norway and internationally. 

Bansal Band received Norwegian Art Council’s grant for ensembles for the year 2014. 
The band is also supported by the Performing Artist’s fund and Concerts Norway.

With Samaya, her second Jazzland release, Harpreet Bansal brings creativity and passion, stylistic focus and intensity, and a mastery of multiple traditions and the perfect blending of them. 

Featuring an expanded group, the original members of Bansal Trio are present (Vojtěch Procházka (harmonium) and Andreas Bratlie (table, percussion, voice), and are joined by Adrian Fiskum Myhr (bass) and Javid Afsari Rad (santur), as well as guest appearances by Nils-Olav Johansen (guitar, voice, percussion, samples) and Sanskriti Shrestha (table). The expanded sonic palette is an exciting change, but one that never overcrowds the music itself, instead affording luxurious variation, textures, and a fuller harmonic soundscape for the melodies and improvisations to travel. 

The album contains 6 extended pieces, three of which are credited to the entire band as well as Harpreet herself, two of which are co-compositions between Harpreet and guest Nils-Olav Johansen, and the piece "Main khayal hoon" is composed by Indian fusion pioneer, Harihanan. 

Each piece on the album explores different moods, often creating sub-variations within themselves, and seamlessly incorporates diverse elements from equally diverse musical traditions. The results are a set of individual musical experiences that are rich and vivid, yet free of generic constraints. However, the unquestionable authenticity of tonal choices and techniques means that this is no mere pastiche: it is an organic, living, breathing music, filled with joy, passion, life.