The International Jazz Night: Events in Hyderabad

REVIEW FOR THE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ NIGHT

Three of the world's best guitarists and drummers are going to perform today at the Kakatiya. And if this were an Idea Cellular promotion, it would have ended with - "you can be one of them!"

ITC Kakatiya Sheraton is hosting an "International Jazz Night" that features renowned artists Jonas Hellborg and Mattias IA Eklundh on the guitar, and Morgan Agren on the drums, all from Sweden.

Jonas Hellborg, a former member of John Mclaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, is widely regarded as one of the world's most wicked wielders of the electric bass. He is a Swedish acoustic bassist known for his rather lengthy melodic improvisations. Often teaming with ethnic musicians, Hellborg is a master at creating a deeply resonant atmosphere and then zipping around that space with mind-blowing fretwork. His music is expansive, exotic and a sublimely gorgeous way to fill a good pair of speakers.

Mattias IA Eklundh, a Swedish rock/metal/shred guitarist, is today considered one of the most innovative and ground breaking guitar players around with a fast growing global following from fellow "guitar nerds" to simply true music freaks. His follow-up to his very successful 1999 solo CD "Freak Guitar" is entitled Freak Guitar - The Road Less Traveled. There are 23 tracks of stunningly creative guitar work, bolstered by an all-instrumental version of Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water".

Morgan Agren, born in Umea, Sweden, has been a drummer since age 4. He was spotted as an outstanding talent at a young age as he began performing publicly at age seven, and eventually joined forces with Mats Oberg in 1981. They later formed Zappsteetoot together in 1984, a band internationally known for performing Zappa's music. In 1988, Morgan Agren along with Mats, invited by Frank Zappa to do a guest performance at Zappa's Stockholm peformance. Blown away by his skills, Zappa invited Morgan to the States to partake in several projects, including the 1994 Grammy Award winning CD "Zappa's Universe" with Steve Vai, as well as a sold-out New York performance of Zappa's classical program at Lincoln Centers Great Performers Series at Avery Fisher Hall.

The above trio will perform at ITC, and the entry is only by invitation. Please contact 2340-0132 for further details.