Selected Projects
Composer: Darbar Academy Schools Piano Darbar Festival, UK. Weblink
2023-24 Composition commission for National Portfolio Organisation. Three works for piano, and creation of video lessons for use in teaching Indian music on piano.
Composer: In Tune Jesse Bannister, Arts Council funded individual. Weblink
2020-21 Contemporary classical acoustic album and wellbeing research project. Composed 12 works for 19th century Steinway piano tuned to Just Intonation.
Performer: Confluence Sutapa, Kolkatta, India. Weblink
2019 Indian music ensemble USA 20 date tour. Traditional Indian saxophone, sarod and tabla in international venues in USA.
Composer: Kreiz Breizh Akademi Drom, Breton, France. Weblink
2018-2022 Indian Music on Breton Instruments. Weeklong residencies teaching Indian music and composing works for Breton Folk Ensemble, directed by Erik Marchand.
Artistic Director: Sacred Spaces. Jesse Bannister, Arts Council funded individual. Weblink
2017 Composition, film, wellbeing and dance production.
Composer/Band leader: Play Out Darbar Festival, UK. Weblink
2014 Arts Council funded Jazz Quartet. Composed and recorded 9 works for Jazz Quartet, alongside Grammy Winning bassist Kenny Higgins, Mobo winning pianist Zoe Rahman and Mercury Prize nominated drummer Seb Rochford. Concerts included Alchemy festival at 600-seater Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Educator/Director: IMOWI. Jesse Bannister, Arts Council funded individual. Weblink
2012-18 Formed organization Indian Music On Western Instruments (IMOWI), teaching weekly classes and delivering four summer schools for elite level professional musicians.
Educator Music River, Serious International. Delivery of Workshops and performances in
2010-12 Multi-cultural schools in the East End of London.
Educator Musicport Festival. Delivery of Workshops and performances at World music Festival in
2010 schools in Whitby.
Composer/Band leader: Samay - Raga Nova. Jesse Bannister, Arts Council funded individual. Weblink
1998-2010 Indian music ensemble. Composition, CD production and European touring.
Selected Commissions
Passage Weblink
2023-24 Prerecorded voice, piano, saxophone and cello commission for artist Angela Lyn and choreographer Durante Verzola. Chambers Fine Art, New York and ICA, Miami installations.
On the Edge of time
2020-21 Sound installation commission, of prerecorded Cello, piano and saxophone for painter Angela Lyn, located in 15th Century Vila Arconati, Milan for six months.
Lines
2019 Commission of six pre-recorded acoustic works for mixed ensemble for choreography by
female lead Indian and contemporary dance collective Rerooted.
Peacock Lake
2017 A 2-hour Ice dance mixed ensemble commission for National Portfolio Organisation Balbir Singh Dance, featuring Olympic ice skaters and Canadian world champion Gary Beacom.
Dancing Bicycles Weblink
2017 BSDC commission for mixed ensemble for choreographic performance in outdoor festivals featuring two-time European BMX champion Keelan Philips.
Saheli
2016 Thirty-minute commission of pre-recorded acoustic score for mixed ensemble, for choreography for Traditional Classical Indian Odissi Dance company Kadam.
Learning to Dance
2016 BSDC dance commission for small ensemble, featuring two 70-year-old dance icons, Prathap Powar MBE and Namron MBE, premiered at the Royal Festival Hall.
No greater fear than the unseen
2015 BSDC commission for two cellos, voice and piano. Composed for choreography in International science Krebbs Festival at Sheffield University.
Synchronised Weblink
2012 BSDC dance and synchronized swimming commission for London 2012 Cultural Olympiad celebrations. Composition for a 60-member SATB choir and 30-piece mixed music ensemble. The piece toured the UK and was a main feature at the Southbank Alchemy Festival in 2015.
Freedom of The Soul Weblink
2008 Hallé Orchestra commission. 45 minute orchestral and choir score with 10 Indian musicians.
Written Works and Research Projects
In Tune wellbeing Study
2022-25 Qualitative research with Dr Eleanor Brown and Dr Anna Detari of the University of York.
The Indian Saxophone Weblink
2020 30k word written thesis, supported by Arts Council DYCP fund.
Melodies of India Weblink
2015 Indian music compositions notations book and CD, supported by Arts Council funded research and education project for elite level Western musicians.
Raga Cards Weblink
2014 Design and creation of 52 raga playing cards for use as a fun educational Indian music tool
Groove India Weblink
2012 iOS app commissioned by Leeds College of Music. A researched, composed and recorded digital app containing 480 audio loops. Designed to support the learning of Indian scales and rhythms, and to be used as compositional and improvisational inspiration.
In Sympathy: 2023 University of York Post Graduate Research forum.
Presented my end of year 2 PhD work to 50 academic researchers
In Tune: Research Study 2022 University of York Post Graduate Research forum.
Presented my ongoing Arts Council funded research study to 50 academic researchers
Stem Skills and World music 2017 Birmingham University, World Music Conference
Jesse Bannister: My journey as an Indian Saxophonist
Cross-cultural collaboration 2008 Orchestral Promoters Network, CBSO, Britten Sinfonia.
Presented my career portfolio to academics and Arts organisation directors.
Selected Conferences
Education and Training
PhD in Composition: York, 2024
The University of York, supervised by Professor Martin Suckling and Dr. Daniel March.
In Sympathy Music for Cymaphone. A portfolio of sympathetic resonance compositions enlightened by the mystical forms of rāga and sound healing.
WYAN Foundation in Indian Music: 1994-6 Distinction.
City of Leeds College of Music Supervised by Nesta fellow Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE.
Graduate Diploma in Jazz and Contemporary music with Honours: 1991-4 Merit
City of Leeds College of Music Studied Western Art Music and Jazz. Subjects included 20th century music analysis, orchestral arranging, composition, 10k word dissertation and Solo Saxophone performance, which included a repertoire of Indian music, Bach, Debussy and Jazz standards.
Indian Classical Music Training: 1992-present
I have learnt in the aural traditions of Indian Classical Music from my teachers and gurus, who are all elite masters as performers and educators, and I am continuing my scholarship in rāgas.
The dates below indicate when I had periods of intensive study.
Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE (sitar) 1992-2005. Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra (vocalist) 1996-2005.
Pandit Rabi Chakraborty (sarod) 1999-2005. Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty (vocalist) 2005-2020.
Pandit Ramakant Gundecha (Dhrupad) 2018. Pandit K.Sridhar (Nāda Yoga) 2018-present.
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