10 shows in 12 days! Thanks for having me and my music in Taiwan. This tour was an incredible journey, I got to play great music and meet even better people!
1. First gig in Taiwan @bluenotetaipei
2. Me, Lee, and The Headless General
3. Pre gig entertainment
4. @sujongbass225 and @jeonghyeon0325 after playing @blackhatjazz
5. The magical alleys of YongHe
6. Killer players
7. My new friend
8. Ballad playing
9. Beef noodles (I had so many. So so many)
10. Last gig at home ( @sappholivetaipei )
The amazing players who took my songs and learned them so well then killed it on stage with little to no rehearsal were~
Taipei: @jack800118@leeshihchun and @alleniminglin
Tainan/Kaohsiung: @pudding0209@daad2324 and Lee again!
Blackhat: Sujong and Jeong Hyeon
This wouldn't have happened without a whole lot of help. Especially from Lee and @celinejazzlady thank you so much for the contacts and support. I have a lot more people I could thank but a post is only so long! This was a magical experience and a crazy first international tour, hopefully there's more to come (working on it for sure).
#music #internationaltour #musictour #originalmusic #drummer #composer
Ever Playful is out now! This is my debut album and I'm honoured to be able to put it out with @abc_jazz after working with them I know how much they love music and their faith in my work means a lot.
This album is about how I've grown up straddling the line between my Telugu and Australian background, and how that continues to shape and guide me. The album draws from the storytelling of my father’s Hindu background and an idea from the myth of Amrutamu that to experience positive growth and wisdom requires you to experience equal strife and hardship. Each song is linked to a lesson and the hardships that taught me. I hope these songs can resonate with you.
My PHENOMENAL band made this album really come to life and I'm so glad we could come together to make this.
@bernicetesara_trumpet 🎺 (trumpet)
@michaeljbrady_ 🎸 (guitar)
@oscarmop99 🎻 (double bass)
This also could not happen at all without @colinstranahan and @glennzaleski who both taught me so much. Colin, you set me on this path when I first started learning from you and I could not be more fulfilled. Your musicality, humanity, and humour inspire me always. And thank you so much Glen for putting up with me and teaching composition. The way you could teach me without dictating my taste is something I don't even understand, those lessons will stay with me for life.
Check out the liner notes on my bandcamp (link in bio) to find out what the Telugu writing I've got on the front means!
Pat Harris did the incredible cover art.
#music #jazz #modernjazz #originalmusic #albumrelease #albumart #drums #canopusdrums #vicfirth #zildjian
It's been 3 days since my album Ever Playful came out! Here's a video from the studio session of one of my favourite tracks from it, "The Other Side of Fear". You can find the link to the album in my bio as well as my Youtube channel which has the full videos.
@bernicetesara_trumpet - trumpet
@michaeljbrady_ - guitar
@oscarmop99 - double bass
@b.ling_film - videography
#jazz #music #originalmusic #album #composer #drummer #studiosessions #modernjazz #drums #canopusdrums
Big shout out to @xtonguepunchx and @someshputcha for creating this moment! 🤝🔥💚
The classic @sethsentry rapper tag live on the streets of Canberra! 😮
This is what hip hop is all about! 💯
#hiphop #sethsentry #canberra #busking
Uptempo adventures!
Working on my uptempo ride speed and feel. It's been a long term goal and I've finally got the time and lack of injuries to have made a serious jump. Here are some clippings
1. 315bpm for 10 minutes
2. 330 (maybe 325) for 3 minutes
3. Goofing around with my left hand
#jazz #drums #music #needforspeed
Earlier today we welcomed drummer, composer, and sonic explorer @someshputcha — an artist whose work lives at the crossroads of culture, spirituality, and fearless creativity. Drawing from the adventurous spirit of John Coltrane, the rhythmic precision of Mark Guiliana, and mentorship from Colin Stranahan, Somesh has shaped a sound that feels both deeply personal and boldly expansive.
His debut album Ever Playful was commissioned by @abc_jazz and explores his dual Telugu-Australian identity through storytelling, improvisation, and the Hindu creation story of Amrutamu and Halahalamu — a reminder that growth and joy can’t exist without struggle.
We dove into identity, mentorship, myth, and the music that moves him. So great to see a fellow Canberran explore Taiwan 🥁✨
I'm hitting the road (or plane) on my first international tour! I'll be playing my album "Ever Playful" live in Taiwan this December with some incredible musicians.
In Taipei I'll be joined by @leeshihchun (Guitar) @alleniminglin (Tenor Sax) and @jack800118 (Double bass)
In Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung I'll be joined by @leeshihchun (Guitar) @daad2324 (Double bass) and @pudding0209 (Trumpet)
You can catch us at:
Blue Note Taipei -December 2nd
Yuppy Bookstore -December 4th
Smith and Wollensky Taichung -December 5t
Tainan J House -December 6th
WiJazz -December 7th
Sappho Live Jazz -December 9th
Art Reading Cafe -December 10th
Smith and Wollensky Taipei -December 11th
Sappho Live Jazz -December 12th
I'll also be talking to the incredible @cait.magee on ICRT radio on December 8th. And hosting a clinic with KoSwing Bigband on December 6th.
This is a huge milestone for me and I'm grateful for the opportunity, the help, and the steps that led me here. I want to give @abc_jazz another shout out for believing in my work enough to commission this album and set me on this path. They're champions of Australian music and empowering artists. I also want to thank Lee for organising so much of this for me, this wouldn't be possible for me otherwise.
#jazz #music #touringmusician #composer #originalmusic #drummer
Playing @smiths.alternative November 13 at 9:30pm
Going into new spaces with this music, trying to tap into the magic of artists like John Coltrane and Immanuel Wilkins.
I'll be joined by a killing band. We have:
@jameslukebass on the double
@dannyjunor on sax
@tomfell9 on sax
It'll be heavy, get around it! Link in bio
The Canberra show for the Ever Playful album tour is this Saturday August 2nd. We're only getting better with every show, and halfway through it's definitely a special sound we've got going. Come through for the hometown show and celebrate! Tickets in my bio.
I'd also like to thank @artsact_ for their generous support that makes this whole thing possible. Also still in disbelief that @abc_jazz commissioned this album and got the ball rolling.
@bernicetesara_trumpet Trumpet
@oscarmop99 Bass
@michaeljbrady_ Guitar
Me myself and I on drums and compositions.
#artsact #music #livemusic #canberrajazz #canberramusic #originalmusic #drums #composer
