Jake Charkey is a celebrated cellist who has extensive knowledge of both Hindustani music and Western classical music. His background in both traditions allow him to improvise freely, drawing on both genres. In addition, the music, television, and film industries in both the United States and India seek him out repeatedly to work on projects.
Charkey began his musical career at age six, attempting to play the violin, but after a year of listening to Charkey’s screechy attempts to master the instrument, his father gave Jake a cello. The young man took to it immediately. He attended Rice University in Houston, Texas, where he studied Western classical music. He became interested in Hindustani music, and moved to Toronto to study with Aruna Narayan. Narayan suggested that rather than learning to play an Indian instrument, Charkey adapt Hindustani music for the cello.
He traveled to India in 2010 to study formally under violinist Padmabushan Dr. N. Rajam and remained her student for six years. Rajam is acknowledged to have transformed Hindustani music, creating an entirely new style, Khayal Gayaki Ang.
A review of Charkey in performance simply says:
“Dazzling!”
Charkey is part of the Season Guest Series at the Brattleboro Music Center, and will appear on May 6, from 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm. Audiences at events like this often enjoy learning about the performer, and organizers can use brochure printing to create programs.