The Global Roots Ensemble creates original music at the intersection of modal jazz, Indian ragas, swampy Delta blues, and melodic folk. Led by composer/percussionist Bobby Bringi, the band of like-minded artists share their distinct soundscape in storytelling concerts, inviting listeners on a journey that sparks the imagination and uplifts the spirit.
The ensemble members' performance credits include Yoshi’s in San Francisco, Denver’s Dazzle Jazz Club, and the Detroit Institute of the Arts. International venues include Indonesia’s Bali Spirit Festival, Jazz Ascona in Switzerland, and the Delhi Rendezvous Festival in India.
Bringi’s original works include: The Silk Road Caravanserai, a mythical musical rest stop where travelers like Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta share stories under a starlit night; Hymn for Broken Wings, an elegy for those trapped in conflicts and an homage for those who help them; and Ode to Gaia, which celebrates the interconnectedness of everything on our precious planet.
After the ensemble’s debut concert, recorded live at the Mighty Fine Studios in Denver, audience members had this to say: “What a transcendent musical feast…. We were buzzing from the experience for days!”; “My mind is blown, simply stunning”; and “Breathtaking, thought provoking.”
Mumbai-born and now Boulder-based Bringi says, “In exploring music beyond borders, we create with audiences a collective joy, vitality, and freedom.” Global Roots Ensemble’s music dissolves barriers among genres and listeners, sparking new perspectives and drawing people closer together.
Bobby Bringi
Traversing Mumbai, Banaras, and New York in his youth, Bringi was enthralled by Sanskrit mantras, kaleidoscopic Indian ragas, the soaring cries of Santana, the allure of the Blues, Coltrane’s spiritual quest, and the lute suites of Bach. All these influences coalesced into what would become Global Roots Music. As a composer, Bringi crafts melodic instrumental pieces on guitar; as a percussionist he brings the sounds of the expressive, versatile South Indian mridangam to contemporary music. Bringi pivoted to music from a career as a pioneering biotechnologist.
Elden Kelly
Impossible to pigeonhole, Elden creates music beyond genre borders and stretches the imagination and expectations of audiences. Nurtured by jazz, classical, and world music traditions, Elden is an extraordinary improviser, a composer, and fingerstyle guitarist. His distinct style is refined, pristine and downright jaw-dropping to witness in person. He has collaborated with numerous artists including Gammy winning Howard Levy (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), violinist Regina Carter, Ralphe Armstrong (bassist, Mahavishnu Orchestra) and percussionist Jamey Haddad.
“Elden. Wow. You sound so fantastic. Beautiful.” — Bill Frisell
“Elden you are a bad cat, a great player” — Lionel Loueke (guitarist for Herbie Hancock)
“I love your playing Elden...I’m a huge fan!” Fareed Haque (virtuoso world guitarist)
Sheela Bringi
Indian American musician Sheela Bringi has been exploring the connections between her ancestral and actual homelands her entire life. The singer and instrumentalist plays the harp, harmonium and bansuri (Indian classical bamboo flute). Sheela’s music appears on over 50 records, and several acclaimed film and TV scores. She has collaborated with many artists, including Karsh Kale, DJ Drez, Jai Uttal, and Dave Stringer.
“Meet the harpist using Indian Classical Music and Traditional Jazz to bridge worlds” NBC News
“Sheela is an excellent musician, matching her cool, clear vocals against her skills on the harp, harmonium and bansuri bamboo flute…” The Guardian
John Gunther
John Gunther is a performer, composer and multi-instrumentalist playing saxophones, clarinet and flute. With a restless musical spirit, he explores all forms of jazz, world music, classical music, and electronic music. He has collaborated and recorded with luminaries such as Jimmy Heath, Ron Miles, Bill Frisell, Dewey Redman, the Carpe Diem Quartet among many others. He is the Director of the Thompson Jazz Studies Program at the School of Music at University of Colorado, Boulder.
Bill McCrossen
A versatile musician, Bill McCrossen was trained in classical music, playing with the Queens Philharmonic and teaching at the Hartford Conservatory. Drawn to jazz and improvised music, Bill relocated to Colorado, and has played with Art Lande, Brazilian musician Carmen Sandim, and numerous others. In addition to acoustic and electric bass, Bill plays a plethora of West African instruments, including kora, guembri, kamale n’goni and mbira.