Jazz Nite with Drift the Trio at Hi Spirits Cafe & Pub, Siliguri

Drift: the trio is a Delhi-based Bebop and Contemporary Jazz outfit – featuring Reuben Narain on Drums, Saurabh Suman on Electric Bass and Pranai Gurung on Guitars. They play an eclectic mix of their own music along standards drawn from the Bebop era interpreted in a modern way. The artists of the band draw heavily from the music of artists such as Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Joshua Redman, John Coltrane, Chris Potter, Lorenzzo Frizierra and Mcoy Tyner – to the name a few.

The band has played well over three hundred gigs spread over the past three years and these gigs have included festivals, concerts, residencies as well as corporate shows. They have been the preferred choice for events and concerts by brands and venues.

The band is led by Reuben Narain – who is an accomplished and established musician within the country. He is an alumini of the Berklee School of Music, Boston and has spent a lot of time playing and studying in New York as well. He is associated with bands like Faridkot, MAP – featuring Manta Sidhu and has a history of doing session work with players such as german saxophonist Rainer Pusch and French
Guitarist Eric Sempe. He is an active teacher for the performer’s collective school – based out of Delhi.

Pranai Gurung, from Kalimpong (alumni St.Augustine’s School), started off as a professional Bass player with a rock outfit but has professionally grown with Contemporary Jazz after his tryst with artists of this genre in Kathmandu- like Jesse Van ruller, Ralph Thomas, Cadenza, Max lolo, Afro Dizzi Act, to name a few.

With several shows behind them, Drift is out with its debut album – Nico, which reflects their love and appreciation for ex-band member, Frenchman Nicolas Giordani (sax), who unfortunately passed away at an early age but whose playing has influenced the band in more ways than one.

This winter they make a trip around the North-east to introduce us to their debut album. It is my great pleasure to have them perform here at Hi Spirits on the 22nd of Dec. Do be here for this Saturday Nite Special to support these artists and their music.