Name: URVASHI // Cluny 2 Newcastle
Start: 2025-11-27T19:30:00+00:00
Location: The Cluny

$URVASHI \/\/ Cluny 2 Newcastle$

Urvashi, is a new London-based collective, formed in January 2023. Inspired by the band’s shared love for traditional and modern music, they draw equally from Indian Qawwali, Arabic Tarab, modal jazz, hard rock and drum and bass. Their tracks layer both original melodies and fresh interpretations of traditional songs, over grooves reimagined from different musical backgrounds, combined with extensive improvisation.
Urvashi are true musical innovators: nodding to the traditions of Qawwali, Arabic Tarab, psychedelic rock, modal jazz, and DnB – but refining these influences into their own rich, progressive, and undeniably compelling sound. Live, no two Urvashi shows are the same, as they leave room for spontaneity in each set, alongside composing fresh arrangements – often with different featured performers – for each venue they grace. If you miss a show, you’ll miss out on a moment. Their unique approach extends to the writing process and the visuals that complement each song – as, unusually for an instrumental group, they play with the narrative form – telling the story of the goddess from whom they take their name.
This show will be a celebration of their new album which was recorded live at Cluny 2 in August 2024. Physical copies of the album will be for sale.
RISHI PELHAM: DRUMS AND TRADITIONAL PERCUSSION
With musical roots in India and Palestine, he has an extensive background in Qawwali music and modal jazz. He played for the Jerusalem Jazz Orchestra,and then toured Bethlehem and Ramallah with a local band, taking a primary focus on Armenian Music. This is where his attraction to interesting rhythms fostered.
JOE ARMER: GUITARS AND SYNTHS
The band’s provider of atmosphere and textures; he improvises a lot of his parts. As he modulates between different modes he references Arabic and Turkish classical music.
THEO MALKA-WISHART: BASS AND DOUBLE BASS
A regular fixture at London’s best known Jazz clubs, from Ronnie Scott’s to The 606, his eclectic musical taste ranges early bebop to psychedelia and Arabic Qawwali music. He has also toured Mexico, India and much of Europe.
ANNA CHAI: SAXOPHONE AND FLUTE
Taking inspiration from Latin American and Flamenco music to funk, soul, reggae and indie, her ear for a melody has seen her collaborate with London’s best jazz artists and bands