Worlds Within Worlds is proud to announce the release of Josh Feinberg’s new record Time Does Not Exist For Light, a dreamy, texture-heavy record from one of the best sitarists of his generation.
Praised as a master of his craft, Feinberg’s ability with the sitar has been described as sensitive, yet controlled - one of the many reasons he is seen as one of the most unique and dynamic sitarists currently performing. His background is the Maihar Gharana school, one of the major instrumental schools of playing in North Indian classical music featuring musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, and Annapurna Devi.
The intricacy of his playing is majestic—Feinberg seems to easily craft worlds of wonder, curiosity and majesty with a few simple touches of the instrument, leaving listeners in meditative awe. Feinberg remains one of a rare few who have been lucky enough to perform with other tabla artists such as Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, and Pandit Kumar Bose, 3 of the 4 the current reigning masters of tabla.
“The sitar, and Hindustani music, is one of the most complex and beautiful musical traditions the world has produced,” says Feinberg. “Great art not only transcends time, but also boundaries. We don’t question any longer if someone from anywhere in the world can be a great guitarist or violinist, and it is my dharma to bring that same open-minded understanding to the sitar. People hear my music and accept me in the Hindustani tradition with open arms, judging with their ears and not with their eyes. With access to knowledge and education, mixed with hard work, we can do anything. We are boundless.”
Feinberg is accompanied on this album by Ustad Shahbaz Hussain - regarded as one of the leading tabla virtuoso's of his generation. Hussain brings a mix of musicality, and virtuosity to Feinberg’s playing, complimenting and adding to the collaboration. He has received numerous accolades for his captivating performances, including receiving the prestigious “Son of Lahore” Award from the Government of Pakistan in 2008, and is much sought after for his accompaniment skills by many of the great masters musicians of India & Pakistan - including Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Ustad Rais Khan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia and ghazal legend Ghulam Ali.
Feinberg’s prestige and talent have put him within the tastes of legend and listener alike, earning him the description of a ‘musician’s musician’. His skills have seen him performing to legends such as Pandit Jasraj, wherein Feinberg received an award in Cross Cultural Understanding and an endorsement as one of the best artists of our time. Over 2019, Feinberg rallied fans across the globe on three successful international tours consisting of 76 concerts, soon to be followed in 2020 with a European tour.
Time Does Not Exist for Light marks a peak in both comfort and substance for Feinberg – once again enriching his legacy on both the Maihar Gharana and the world.
credits
released May 8, 2020
Josh Feinberg - Sitar
Shahbaz Hussain - Tabla
Recorded live March, 2019 at Big City Jacks in Manchester, UK
Engineer: Tony Long
Mixing/mastering: Josh Feinberg and Kenny McConnachie
Proceeds from this vibrant collection of tracks from Red Baraat bandleader Sunny Jain go to the Center for Constitutional Rights. Bandcamp New & Notable May 13, 2021
The eclectic musician recasts the immigrant experience as the modern-day frontier, bringing Indian and U.S. traditions together. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 3, 2019
