This is an experiment.  I am a jazz vocalist, pianist, and composer.  I also play and compose electronic dance music.  This is very different from my typical stuff.  Working on an album of Tegore's song implementing orchestral sound and acoustic instruments of both east & west, but maintaining the rhythm section true to the Indian background.  I Noticed that most Bengali recordings these  days have a tendency to avoid using tabla (Indian drum) in the process of trying to make it sound more westernized and make it palatable to the younger generation.  But I always thought Indian drums are superior rhythm instruments than typical western drum sets, bongos, and congas.  Though western style of arrangement is superior to that of Indian in my opinion.  So here is the result.  The best of each = East and west combined.  2 acoustic steel guitars, 2 basses, 2 flutes (regular and concert), soprano saxophone, santoor, a whole orchestra string section playing divisi style.  But with Indian rhythm instrument Tabla being played by Bombay musicians. 

Aakash jure shuninu

Rabindra Sangeet - Arrangements, notation & vocal by Jafar Nazmi. Performed by Orchestra New England. Conducted by James Synclare with lead from Jafar Nazmi.

These songs were written more than 150 years ago by the first Nobel laureate from Asia (Bengali poet/Philosopher/musician/artist Rabindranath Tegore). These songs are devotional in nature. Unlike typical worship songs the poet expresses his gratitude to the creator through admiration of the beauty of his creator's creation. Communicating directly with the creator through these songs he also expresses his regret for being busy with worldly things, as if he is talking to a friend who is always there for him.

The entire arrangements were done by Jafar Nazmi who grew up in New York and is equally well versed in both Indian and western classical music. He arranged these songs in western classical orchestral style to capture the emotional response of many large Divisi Strings(divisional strings sections). It is nearly impossible to have such a large number of musicians playing such intricate little parts in several dimensions, and have them perfectly synchronized. Listening through good headsets one can truly appreciate the intricate parts and counterpoint, arpeggios and harmonies being played by groups of violinist and cellist from right, left, front and back. Listening carefully one can actually hear how Divisi adds an element of space & dimension. The same violin sounds different 50 feet away as opposed to 5 feet away.

Aakash jure shuninu (Qawwali Style)

Rabindra Sangeet - Arrangements, notation & vocal by Jafar Nazmi. Performed by Orchestra New England. Conducted by James Synclare with lead from Jafar Nazmi.

These songs were written more than 150 years ago by the first Nobel laureate from Asia (Bengali poet/Philosopher/musician/artist Rabindranath Tegore). These songs are devotional in nature. Unlike typical worship songs the poet expresses his gratitude to the creator through admiration of the beauty of his creator's creation. Communicating directly with the creator through these songs he also expresses his regret for being busy with worldly things, as if he is talking to a friend who is always there for him.

The entire arrangements were done by Jafar Nazmi who grew up in New York and is equally well versed in both Indian and western classical music. He arranged these songs in western classical orchestral style to capture the emotional response of many large Divisi Strings(divisional strings sections). It is nearly impossible to have such a large number of musicians playing such intricate little parts in several dimensions, and have them perfectly synchronized. Listening through good headsets one can truly appreciate the intricate parts and counterpoint, arpeggios and harmonies being played by groups of violinist and cellist from right, left, front and back. Listening carefully one can actually hear how Divisi adds an element of space & dimension. The same violin sounds different 50 feet away as opposed to 5 feet away.

English Translation:

He mor devata
(O Lord, thou art my God)
=====================

O Lord, thou art my God
O Lord, thou art my God
Thou hast filled up my body and soul
I know not with what potion of life
drinketh by thee
O Lord, thou art my God
O Lord, thou art my God

In my earthly eyes
Thy cosmic reflection
O lord, thou art my poet
watcheth in awe
In my enchanted sense
Inhabits silently thine presence
Listening quitely
Thine own song
O Lord, thou art my God
O Lord, thou art my God


In my fervent heart
Thy creation, so sublime
Forming an ineffable enunciation
O Lord, thou art my mentor
My thoughts brewed in thy affection
Awaken all my poems
Thou hast found thine own self in me
Doused in sweetness
Saturating every fiber of my being
Thou hast giveth thine angelic self to me
O Lord, thou art my God
O Lord, thou art my God
Thou hast filled up my body and soul
I know not with what potion of life
drinketh by thee
O Lord, thou art my God
O Lord, thou art my God

He mor devata

Rabindra Sangeet - Arrangements, notation & vocal by Jafar Nazmi. Performed by Orchestra New England. Conducted by James Synclare with lead from Jafar Nazmi.

These songs were written more than 150 years ago by the first Nobel laureate from Asia (Bengali poet/Philosopher/musician/artist Rabindranath Tegore). These songs are devotional in nature. Unlike typical worship songs the poet expresses his gratitude to the creator through admiration of the beauty of his creator's creation. Communicating directly with the creator through these songs he also expresses his regret for being busy with worldly things, as if he is talking to a friend who is always there for him.

The entire arrangements were done by Jafar Nazmi who grew up in New York and is equally well versed in both Indian and western classical music. He arranged these songs in western classical orchestral style to capture the emotional response of many large Divisi Strings(divisional strings sections). It is nearly impossible to have such a large number of musicians playing such intricate little parts in several dimensions, and have them perfectly synchronized. Listening through good headsets one can truly appreciate the intricate parts and counterpoint, arpeggios and harmonies being played by groups of violinist and cellist from right, left, front and back. Listening carefully one can actually hear how Divisi adds an element of space & dimension. The same violin sounds different 50 feet away as opposed to 5 feet away.

Ami jokhon taar duaare

Rabindra Sangeet - Arrangements, notation & vocal by Jafar Nazmi. Performed by Orchestra New England. Conducted by James Synclare with lead from Jafar Nazmi.

These songs were written more than 150 years ago by the first Nobel laureate from Asia (Bengali poet/Philosopher/musician/artist Rabindranath Tegore). These songs are Divotional in nature. Unlike typical worship songs the poet expresses his gratitude to the creator through admiration of the beauty of his creator's creation. Communicating directly with the creator through these songs he also expresses his regret for being busy with worldly things, as if he is talking to a friend who is always there for him.

The entire arrangements were done by Jafar Nazmi who grew up in New York and is equally well versed in both Indian and western classical music. He arranged these songs in western classical orchestral style to capture the emotional response of many large Divisi Strings(divisional strings sections). It is nearly impossible to have such a large number of musicians playing such intricate little parts in several dimensions, and have them perfectly synchronized. Listening through good headsets one can truly appreciate the intricate parts and counterpoint, arpeggios and harmonies being played by groups of violinist and cellist from right, left, front and back. Listening carefully one can actually hear how Divisi adds an element of space & dimension. The same violin sounds different 50 feet away as opposed to 5 feet away.

English Translation:

Tomaro Osheeme
(The deep of Your infinitude)
=============================

When I dive into the deep of Your infinitude
With all my heart and soul
Sorrow there is none, nor death or separation

Death assumes its monstrosity
Sorrow carves its abyss
When I turn away from You
And get drawn to my wee self

O replete bounteousness! 
That which finds refuge at Your feet
It exists never to fade
Without a trace of the fear
That only lurks in my mind
And so I lament through night and day

The weight of worldly duties
The torturous angst within
Dissolve in the blink of an eye
If your presence I can house
In my life's abode

Tomaro  Osheeme prano mono loye

Rabindra Sangeet - Arrangements, notation & vocal by Jafar Nazmi. Performed by Orchestra New England. Conducted by James Synclare with lead from Jafar Nazmi.

These songs were written more than 150 years ago by the first Nobel laureate from Asia (Bengali poet/Philosopher/musician/artist Rabindranath Tegore). These songs are devotional in nature. Unlike typical worship songs the poet expresses his gratitude to the creator through admiration of the beauty of his creator's creation. Communicating directly with the creator through these songs he also expresses his regret for being busy with worldly things, as if he is talking to a friend who is always there for him.

The entire arrangements were done by Jafar Nazmi who grew up in New York and is equally well versed in both Indian and western classical music. He arranged these songs in western classical orchestral style to capture the emotional response of many large Divisi Strings(divisional strings sections). It is nearly impossible to have such a large number of musicians playing such intricate little parts in several dimensions, and have them perfectly synchronized. Listening through good headsets one can truly appreciate the intricate parts and counterpoint, arpeggios and harmonies being played by groups of violinist and cellist from right, left, front and back. Listening carefully one can actually hear how Divisi adds an element of space & dimension. The same violin sounds different 50 feet away as opposed to 5 feet away.


Translation:

Aji joto tar tobo akashe
(All stars in the sky tonight)
========================


All stars in the sky tonight
Are aglow in my heart
All your world comes in haste
And flings itself into my arms
Each blossom of your garden
Flourishes in my limbs.

Blessed bliss everywhere I look
Deeply fragrant with the
Perfume of my own heart
Like joyful flowers at your altar.

Today, I do not care for any other,
Words and missives slip by me
The breath of the cosmos fills
My chest, like a flute overwhelmed
With eternal, magical melody.


Aji Joto Tara tobo aakashe

Tomar pujar chole tomae bhulei thaki

Tomaar Dware Keno Aashi

Rabindra Sangeet - Arrangements, notation & vocal by Jafar Nazmi. Performed by Orchestra New England. Conducted by James Synclare with lead from Jafar Nazmi.

These songs were written more than 150 years ago by the first Nobel laureate from Asia (Bengali poet/Philosopher/musician/artist Rabindranath Tegore). These songs are devotional in nature. Unlike typical worship songs the poet expresses his gratitude to the creator through admiration of the beauty of his creator's creation. Communicating directly with the creator through these songs he also expresses his regret for being busy with worldly things, as if he is talking to a friend who is always there for him.

The entire arrangements were done by Jafar Nazmi who grew up in New York and is equally well versed in both Indian and western classical music. He arranged these songs in western classical orchestral style to capture the emotional response of many large Divisi Strings(divisional strings sections). It is nearly impossible to have such a large number of musicians playing such intricate little parts in several dimensions, and have them perfectly synchronized. Listening through good headsets one can truly appreciate the intricate parts and counterpoint, arpeggios and harmonies being played by groups of violinist and cellist from right, left, front and back. Listening carefully one can actually hear how Divisi adds an element of space & dimension. The same violin sounds different 50 feet away as opposed to 5 feet away.




Translation:

Amar hiyaar majhe lukiye chile
(Thee were hidden in my heart)
============================== 

Thee were hidden in my heart
So, I couldn't find thou art,
I didn't see thou art.

My eyes wandered all outsides
I didn't peek my insides.

In all my aspects of love, in all agony and in all hope,
Thee remained with me, though I didn't ask thee.

As joy, thee were with me - in my play
Oblivious in that joy, I let time fritter away

Buried deep in my heart, to songs of my joy and misery
You gave the tune and still I sang not of thy glory.

Amar hiyaar majhe lukiye chile

Rabindra Sangeet - Arrangements, notation & vocal by Jafar Nazmi. Performed by Orchestra New England. Conducted by James Synclare with lead from Jafar Nazmi.

These songs were written more than 150 years ago by the first Nobel laureate from Asia (Bengali poet/Philosopher/musician/artist Rabindranath Tegore). These songs are Devotional in nature. Unlike typical worship songs the poet expresses his gratitude to the creator through admiration of the beauty of his creator's creation. Communicating directly with the creator through these songs he also expresses his regret for being busy with worldly things, as if he is talking to a friend who is always there for him.

The entire arrangements were done by Jafar Nazmi who grew up in New York and is equally well versed in both Indian and western classical music. He arranged these songs in western classical orchestral style to capture the emotional response of many large Divisi Strings(divisional strings sections). It is nearly impossible to have such a large number of musicians playing such intricate little parts in several dimensions, and have them perfectly synchronized. Listening through good headsets one can truly appreciate the intricate parts and counterpoint, arpeggios and harmonies being played by groups of violinist and cellist from right, left, front and back. Listening carefully one can actually hear how Divisi adds an element of space & dimension. The same violin sounds different 50 feet away as opposed to 5 feet away.

Akash jure shuninu (west)

Tagore in Symphony. Rabindra Sangeet in Symphony. Rabindra Sangeet Orchestra. Originally from New York Jafar Nazmi aka Digitizer won first prize in a singing competition at the age of six. He grew up in a family full of music crazies. Jafar Nazmi spent his entire life listening, researching, learning music from all over the world. He taught himself to play several instruments such as drums, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Piano, Organ, Accordion, Harmonium, tabla, Autoharp and even invented hybrid musical instruments himself. Jafar Nazmi designed sound for Roland Corporation. Truly passionate about good music, Jafar Nazmi started playing and singing samba, bossa nova, traditional Jazz, Alternative, New Wave, then started producing trance, house and techno music... 
Jafar Nazmi is currently spending time recording and performing Indian classical, Rabindra Sangeet, Nu Jazz, Down-tempo, and Brazilian Jazz. Favorite artists of Jafar Nazmi include Ahmad Jamal, Sarah Vaughn, Abby Lincoln, Chick Corea, Al Dimeola, Anushka Shankar, Zakir Hussain, Nicola Conte, Babel Gilberto, Joao Bosco, Caetano Veloso, Djavon, Purba Dam, Buica.  One thing for certain, with such a diverse exposure to music, Jafar Nazmi's arrangements are going to have sound & character of music from all over the world.

==============================================
This is a unique project, first of its kind.  Eastern devotional songs with massive western symphony orchestra. 
Rabindra Sangeet - Arrangements, notation & vocal by Jafar Nazmi. Performed by Jafar Nazmi Orchestra. Conducted by James Synclare with lead from Jafar Nazmi.
These songs were written more than 150 years ago by the first Nobel laureate from Asia (Bengali poet/Philosopher/musician/artist Rabindranath Tagore). These songs are devotional in nature. Unlike typical worship songs the poet expresses his gratitude to the creator through admiration of the beauty of his creator's creation. Communicating directly with the creator through these songs he also expresses his regrets for being busy with worldly things, as if he is talking to a friend who is always there for him.
The entire arrangements were done by Jafar Nazmi who grew up in New York and is equally well versed in both Indian and western classical music. He arranged these songs in western classical orchestral style to capture the emotional response of many large "Divisi Strings"(divisional strings sections). It is nearly impossible to have such a large number of musicians playing such intricate little parts in several dimensions, and have them all perfectly synchronized. Listening through good headsets one can truly appreciate the intricate parts and counterpoint, arpeggios and harmonies being played by groups of violinist and cellist from right, left, front and back. Listening carefully one can actually hear how Divisi adds an element of space & dimension. The same violin sounds different 50 feet away as opposed to 5 feet away.

Jafar Nazmi Orchestra Tagore Symphony

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