Doors at 7:00 PM
Concert: 7:30 - 9:00 PM
$30 General Admission, $24 Member Admission
Willow Grove Cultural Commons
Sandy Spring Museum
17901 Bentley Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
This event takes place at Willow Grove Cultural Commons at Sandy Spring Museum.
Willow Grove is part of the Sandy Spring Museum's main building, but has its own entrance. From the parking lot, proceed past the museum's front door down the cement walkway until you reach the red brick plaza.
Improvisational Dialects brings three musicians together in a lively, cross-cultural exchange that blends original music and jazz with the spirit and aesthetics of Indian classical traditions. Led by renowned bansuri artist Deepak Ram, a longtime disciple of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, the trio explores melody, rhythm, and improvisation in a way that feels both grounded and adventurous. Featuring Karine Chapdelaine on bass and Avi Shah on tabla and percussion, this concert offers an intimate listening experience shaped in real time, where each moment unfolds spontaneously.
Artist Bios:
Deepak Ram is an acclaimed bansuri flautist, composer, and educator known for his evocative performances in Hindustani classical music and his cross-genre collaborations. A longtime disciple of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, he has performed internationally and collaborated with artists across jazz, world, and classical traditions, appearing on over 60 recordings and numerous film soundtracks. A South African Music Award–winning artist, Deepak is also a respected teacher and composer whose work bridges Indian and Western musical traditions.
Karine Chapdelaine is an internationally active bassist who has performed across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, sharing the stage with artists such as McCoy Tyner and Bobby McFerrin. A Galaxie Prize–winning composer, she has appeared at major festivals and venues including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center.
Avi Shah is a US-raised tabla player who began studying the instrument at age eight, developing his artistry through self-study, formal training in India, and advanced instruction with Ustad Tari Khan, as well as workshops with Ustad Zakir Hussain. He has accompanied leading artists across Hindustani classical, ghazal, qawwali, and fusion traditions, and has performed with ensembles including Karavika, Banyan Trees and World Music Collective.