Tabla Forro, is a recent project initiated by Navin Chettri and Adrian Crookston. With the love for Northeastern Brazilian music and the zeal to create something unique, the duo explores the sounds of the accordion and tabla (North Indian drum) blending the traditions of North Eastern Brazilian Music with rhythmic sensibilities of North Indian tabla tradition.
Navin Chettri is a percussionist, vocalist, composer, educator and the founder & Artistic Director of The Kathmandu Jazz Festival (Jazzmandu) and “Drum Jatra” Percussion Festival in Nepal and the Artistic Director of the World Music Celebration at the Lionel Hampton School of Music in the University of Idaho.
His studies and fascination for global music have led him to numerous creative projects and travels and constantly strives to create new and unique musical works. He truly believes that the blend of musical traditions from various cultures not only provides a chance for brand new creations but the transformative power of music unites people and fosters respect and compassion.
As a composer, Navin has written music for a diverse range of musical styles and ensembles.
In 2021, Aisha’s Dream, performed by his band Cadenza Collective was featured as a sound track for the highly acclaimed Netflix documentary, 14 Peaks.
His recent projects include Tabla Forro, a duo with accordion melding Northeastern Brazilian music with Indian rhythms on the tabla (Indian drums) and the Himalayan Duo project consisting of sitar and drum- set, exploring the traditions of Hindustani Classical musical elements with textural and rhythmic sensibilities of jazz drumming.
Adrian Crookston is an Italian-American accordionist specializing in the Northeastern Brazilian music style called Forró. He has studied Forró extensively and has travelled around the US, Europe, South America, and Asia with various groups. Currently in the US he plays with Forró de Quintal and The Palouse Forró Experience.
Although Adrian is a musician that primarily focuses on performing Forró on the accordion, he plays a variety of other genres and instruments, writes original music, and teaches music. His hometown band, The Sultry Swines, released an album consisting of mostly original music.
Out of gallery
“Adrian Crookston, an accordion mage who somehow fits 42 notes into every bar, keeps that squeezebox droning, and sings”
-American Standard Time
“Adrian Crookston drew eager waves of dancers toward the stage with Palouse Forró Experience, infecting the crowd with frenetic, rousing pace of Brazilian street music, reminiscent of troubadours and wandering gypsy bands, sometimes winsome and far too easy to dance to.”
-Nepali Times
“Adrian Crookston's forró seems to have been a favourite at Jazzmandu this year.” -Kathmandu Post