Home / Arts and Entertainment / Carnatic Ragas and Naga Chants Blend with Jazz in Groundbreaking New Album
Carnatic Ragas and Naga Chants Blend with Jazz in Groundbreaking New Album
17 Oct
Summary
- New instrumental album Treekam blends Carnatic, Naga, and jazz elements
- Features guitarists Abhay Nayampally and Arenlong Longkumer
- Includes American drummer, British bassist, and legendary keyboardist
In October 2025, a groundbreaking new instrumental album called Treekam is set to be released. The five-track album, produced by music composer Sandeep Chowta, blends Carnatic ragas, Naga chants, and jazz elements into a captivating fusion.
The album features two acclaimed guitarists - Carnatic musician Abhay Nayampally and Naga guitarist Arenlong Longkumer. They are joined by an international ensemble, including American drummer Jerrod 'J-rod' Sullivan, British bassist Seb Read, and the legendary keyboardist Tom Schuman, a member of the jazz band Spyro Gyra.
Two of the tracks on Treekam also showcase chants by Naga singer-songwriter Mengu Suokhrie and the Nagaland Folkloric Group, adding a unique cultural dimension to the album. Chowta, the driving force behind the project, explains that the album was born out of a "desire to say something that can't be said within the boundaries of any one genre."
