Kishon Khan and Lokkhi Terra at London Latin Jazz Festival

Kishon Khan and Lokkhi Terra
London Latin Jazz Festival
PizzaExpress Live
London
October 20, 2017

Lokkhi Terra, led by Bangladeshi-born pianist Kishon Khan, brought their fusion of Bangladeshi folk and Afro-Cuban jazz to London Soho's Pizza Express Jazz Club on 20th October, as part of 2017's London Latin Jazz Festival. The band immediately got off to an energetic start of fiery Latin jazz driven by an excellent rhythm section with Javier Camilo on percussion and vocals. A quintessentially Cuban groove had been mastered here, similar to the likes of the Buena Vista Social Club.

Shortly into the gig Khan introduced Pandit Dinesh, dubbed the "Godfather of Asian Percussion," and explained how Cuban rhythms—particularly the Cuban clave rhythmic pattern—can combine with that of Asian traditional music. This skillful blend that has been achieved was demonstrated, particularly in a three-way call and response percussion break between Camilo and Oreste Noda on Latin percussion, and Pandit Dinesh on tablas. The two seemingly contrasting styles do not stick out from each other but instead came together almost naturally, creating an attractive fusion of the two, to which the inclusion of electric guitar and keyboard further added a bluesy funk and jazz rock vibe. Towards the end of the set, musician and guest curator of the festival, Eliane Correa, joined Kishon Khan on stage, and the concert was brought to a close with an explosive unison between keyboard and piano.

Kishon Khan and Lokkhi Terra have created their own multicultural sound through the fusion of Latin and Asian music and delivered it brilliantly, in a thoroughly enjoyable and energetic presentation for the London Latin Jazz Festival.

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