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Sam Evans
Ph.D, M.A (Music Perf.) B. Mus, Hons. Sam Evans is a contemporary Australian musician and tabla player who works as performer, composer and educator in Melbourne. Following many years of training and research in India, he has dedicated his career to integrating the culture, music and instruments of India in Australia. He is a regular international performer of both traditional Indian music and contemporary world music. He composes music for film and documentaries, is the founding director of the Melbourne Tabla School and is the first Australian to hold a PhD in tabla.
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As a musician, Sam Evans’ distinctive musical approach expresses both a sense of spaciousness and the vibrant sophistication of the Indian tabla tradition he learnt from Pandit Anindo Chatterjee in India and Ustad Zakir Hussain in America. As a performer and composer, he has many albums and projects to his name from a wide variety of genres, including Indian and Western classical music, world music, jazz, pop, rock, film, documentaries, TV shows and live television. His expertise in the field of world music have many times been acknowledged by the state and federal funding bodies, The Australia Arts Council, Arts Victoria and Ian Potter Foundation. Music from his main trio project, Fine Blue Thread, has recently been selected by the BBC in London to be presented on a compilation CD alongside Ravi Shankar, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Nitin Sawhney as a representation of contemporary approaches to Indian influenced music.
As an educator, Sam Evans promotes Indian music, world music and intercultural dialog as guest lecturer and ensemble director in numerous educational institutions in Australia, including over a decade at Monash University. Following his many years of study in the traditional training system of guru-shishya-parampara in India, he completed Bachelor, Honours and Masters degrees in traditional tabla and completed a research PhD on contemporary tabla performance. His PhD research considers the integration of the tabla in contemporary intercultural music and was supported by the prestigious Sir James McNeil Scholarship. |
He now promotes cultural and musical understanding and dialog from a lived experience of both cultures. In doing so, he conducts lectures, lecture demonstrations and school incursions on the culture and music of India, world music, Indian rhythm, and the tabla, at universities, secondary and primary schools in Australia, such as Melbourne University, Monash University and Melbourne Polytechnic.
His innovative work in directing world music ensembles and the Monash University World Music Orchestra for over twelve years has been documented in his publication in the Oxford Handbook of Music Education. In further integrating the tabla in formal education in Australia, he has established a pathway for students to study tabla at secondary and university level in Australia. He has received many scholarships and awards at state and national level: Sir James McNeil Scholarship: Prestigious PhD Award, Arts Victoria Grant: Contemporary and Live Music Development, Australian Post Graduate Award: Merit-based full-time scholarship, Honours Merit Scholarship: Full-time merit-based award, Arts Victoria Grant: ‘Victoria Rocks’, Australia Council for the Arts Grant: Skills and Arts Development, Ian Potter Foundation: Professional Development Grant, Vice Chancellors Music Leader Scholarship: Full-time merit-based award, Australia Council for the Arts Grant: ‘BUZZ’. Grant for young achievers. He is currently writing new music for a third album with Fine Blue Thread, expanding the reach of the Melbourne Tabla School and completing a book of traditional tabla repertoire. |
Publications
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Evans, Sam (2018). 'Tabla Without Borders: Toward a Contemporary Model for Tabla Performance and Composition'. PhD Thesis. Monash University, Melbourne. [View]
Evans, Sam. (2009). 'Representing Tabla Music: Defining an Effective Notation System for Indian Tabla Repertoire'. Masters Thesis, Monash University, Melbourne. [View] Evans, Sam and Burke, Robert. (2002). Pathways to Learning and Teaching Indigenous and World Music Ensembles. In McPherson, G and Welch, G, (Eds.) 'Oxford Handbook of Music Education'. Oxford University Press, New York. [View] |
Albums
Reviews
“Sam Evans has brought together musicians who are not only excellent players but who work very sympathetically in taking the synthesis between Indian and Western music in exciting directions. Australian world music collaboration at its very best.”
Music Trust Magazine
Music Trust Magazine
“Sam Evans draws us into his musical world with thirteen tracks highlighting not only his considerable skill as a percussionist, but also the impressive musicianship of his collaborators. The music they make is sensitive, subtle, exciting and playful.”
ABC Radio National - Paul Petran
ABC Radio National - Paul Petran
“Tabla player and percussionist Sam Evans from the music department of Monash University is a prolific producer of interesting collaborations between Indian and Australian musicians.”
Music Trust Magazine
Music Trust Magazine
Fine Blue Thread
“Their music is not about blurring boundaries but rather a snapshot of their local high street...an expression of the world we live in. Their musical prowess and passion for improvisation has produced a perfect backdrop for what is simply, really good music!”
BBC Radio, London - Lopa Kothari
“Their music is not about blurring boundaries but rather a snapshot of their local high street...an expression of the world we live in. Their musical prowess and passion for improvisation has produced a perfect backdrop for what is simply, really good music!”
BBC Radio, London - Lopa Kothari
“Based in tradition but decidedly modern, their delicate mix of influences unfolds gently, revealing a rich collage of enchanting melodies and rhythmic nuances. Soemardjo's poetic lyrics are beautifully balanced by Mountfort's full harmonious lines and Evans's crisp percussive style. A marvellous debut, Red Mountain heralds the arrival of a fresh new Australian world music trio. It will be fascinating to watch their progress.”
ABC Limelight Magazine - 4.5 Stars
ABC Limelight Magazine - 4.5 Stars
“…music that is as fresh as it is beguiling.”
The Age, Melbourne
The Age, Melbourne
“Fine Blue Thread is a welcome addition to Australian music. Three very talented musicians creating a sublime, exquisite and dynamic musical world with voice, cello and tabla.”
Paul Petran - ABC Radio National
Paul Petran - ABC Radio National
“Barlines & Beyond is another excellent project…The respect and joy generated between these four trailblazing musicians is beautiful to behold.”
Music Trust Magazine
Music Trust Magazine
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Indian Weekly - National Indian Newspaper in Australia, December 2018
Read complete online article here |
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Indian Link - National Indian Newspaper in Australia, December 2018
Read complete online article here |
