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Jon Sterckx (Tabla) & Ricky Romain (Sitar) are professional musicians trained in Indian Classical Music. They have been regularly performing Indian music together since 2001 and have developed a strong performance rapport between them. Their shared understanding and appreciation of North Indian music is always apparent within their performances, as is their mutual enjoyment of each others playing, and of the music being created through their combined playing. Through the sound world of North Indian Rag and Taal, Ricky & Jon's highly engaging and dynamic performances range from slow, meditative, melodies through to fast and highly detailed exciting rhythmical interplay.
" . . .The brilliant sitar of Ricky Romain in duet with Jon Sterckx's tabla wizardry was a first class example of musicians "playing off" each other, their evident joy never becoming indulgent, and never compromising the aims of the music. . . ." - Colin Sell.
Jon & Ricky have performed Indian music together in Art centres, Festivals , private events, Weddings and functions and were performers at the National Celebration of British Asian Live Arts in 2008. They have also recorded 2 Indian classical Sitar & Tabla CD's together - Rag Ahir Bhairav & a live recording of Rag Kirvani ( see below )
They regularly perform Indian Music together throughout the South West UK - Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset and are available for performances throughout the UK (See events )
Jon & Ricky also work together delivering Indian music workshops to schools, colleges, universities and at festivals and other events. Click here for info
Contact for more information and booking details.
Feedback, comments & testimonials:
"It was a treat to listen to Jon Sterckx and Ricky Romain on the tabla and sitar respectively. Jon and Ricky gave a short but superb introduction to Indian music, explained some of the difference between western and Indian styles and captivated the audience later with the rendition of the Bhairavi raga in Vilambit, Madhya and Drut tintaal.
Jon and Ricky engaged very well with the audience providing a thrilling performance and deserving the rapturous applause they received at the end.
I am looking forward to hearing them again soon!" - Mahesh Subramanuim - Hampshire Indo British Society ( Music Mela performance 24/09/2011)
See also video feedback from Basigstoke Music Mela - click here
"Talented percussionist Jon Sterckx was outstanding on tabla, and a longer solo from him would have been welcome." - Pippa Howell - Frome Festival Review.
"...the near capacity crowd enjoyed an evening of spellbinding music, which the majority had never heard live before. The reaction of seemingly everyone present was overwhelmingly positive...a superbly atmospheric and fascinating evening's entertainment which delighted everyone present." - Tony Hayward - Ilminster Arts Centre.
(click here to read full review)
"You and Ricky were superb at the ‘Wilsford Asian Festival’. Thank you both so much for joining us and making it such a superb evening. The letters, cards and e-mails coming in from guests comment on your music and are gushing in praise." - Event Organiser.
"Your performances were truly mesmerising" - Esther White - University of Exeter, following the Celebration Of British Asian Live Arts Concert 10.04.08
"... Brilliant music and you are a great duo!!" - June Burrough - Pierian Centre, Bristol.
"Thanks Ricky it was a fantastic event and your sitar playing was amazing". - Sanjay Sharma - Plymouth South Asian Society.
"...a mesmerizing Sitar and Tabla Performance by Ricky Romain and Jon Sterckx." - Plymouth South Asian Society AGM performance 2007.
"...then something that completely made my night - the music was coming from two live musicians on a small stage, Ricky Romain on sitar and Jon Sterckx on tabla. Their performance was outstanding and I thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to them ..." - review from Shahnaz.
If you would like to leave a review / feedback, please send by email or click here to post online.
Indian Music for Weddings with Sitar & Tabla.
Jon & Ricky can provide beautiful atmospheric Indian Music for your wedding. Click here for more details
We can ensure that you and your guests get the most out of having a live Indian Music - Sitar & Tabla performance at your wedding. We can provide a high quality PA for amplification so that all guests at your wedding will hear and enjoy the music. If your venue cannot provide one, we can also provide a suitable stage for elevation to ensure that you and your guests will all able to see and enjoy the performance.
Testimonials from Indian music performances at weddings:
"Ricky and Jon played at my marriage to my wife Dilara on a beautiful summer's day in late August 2011 in Bromley, Kent - and I cannot emphasize quite enough how wonderful it was to have them honour our special day with their performance.
Ricky and Jon created an ambience where the elegance of their music melted into the warm sunshine and the celebratory mood; our guests were mesmerized, and I myself have never heard classical Indian music played to such a high standard anywhere. My deeply traditional parents, who pride themselves on their knowledge of Indian culture and music, were equally impressed.
I would recommend Ricky and Jon without a moment's hesitation for an event of any kind, given that they enhanced ours beyond measure." - Dr. Sumit Dutta ( Wedding performance at Bickley Manor Hotel, Bromley, Kent) Read the full testimonial here
"Thank you so much for playing for us on Saturday. So many memories have been etched into our consciousness of the day, and the backdrop to them all was the sound of the sitar and the tabla that you both so beautifully provided. Thank you so much, it was so beautiful!" - Eunice Laurel ( Wedding Performance at Matara Centre, Gloucestershire)
"I was totally bowled over. Paul's family has never heard anything so wonderful and my family had not seen/heard anything so wonderful, let alone live." - comment from Verna Vyas (Bride - also testimonial below.) Wedding performance in Devon.
"I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed it and was a refreshing change from the usual jazz trio or string quartet you often get at English weddings." - wedding guest.
Read full testimonial here: pdf file
Indian Classical Music Sitar & Tabla Cd's:
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Rag Ahir Bhairav ( 2001 ) Rag Ahir Bhairav is an early morning rag which combines phrases from the ragas Bhairav and Kafi. The Alaap is the free metre introduction to the notes of the rag played on Sitar. This is followed by a slow Gat, or composition in Tintal, which is a sixteen beat rhythmic cycle, counted 4+4+4+4. At this point, the Tabla joins the Sitar to give the rhythmic cycle. The final section is a fast composition, also in the rhythmic cycle of Tintal.
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Videos from Indian Music performances
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