Sound Alchemy: David Boyce & Sameer Gupta
David Boyce (Saxophones, Electronics) & Sameer Gupta (Tabla, Drumset)
Prepare for an auditory journey that transcends genres and time! Oakland venue, WyldFlowr Arts, is honored to kick off a spectacular 3-day residency for master percussionist Sameer Gupta with an electrifying duo set alongside his long-time collaborator, saxophonist and Bay Area icon, David Boyce. This is far more than a concert—it's a high-energy conversation between two of the most inventive minds in modern improvised music.
The Cosmic Connection
Sameer Gupta, a globally renowned artist who simultaneously masters the American jazz drumset and North Indian classical tabla, is the brilliant force. His work is a beautiful bridge, melding the rhythmic complexity of raga with the spontaneous fire of avant-garde jazz.
Joining him is the inimitable David Boyce, co-founder of the avant-jazz powerhouse Broun Fellinis and a spiritual core of the Bay Area music scene. Boyce, on saxophone and bass clarinet, doesn't just play instruments—he wields a spectrum of sounds, incorporating Moog synth, electronic effects, and live beats to create deep, textural soundscapes.
The pairing of Boyce and Gupta is a masterclass in organic fusion. They cut their teeth together as members of the spiritually charged power trio, The Supplicants, and their collaboration has spanned decades, culminating in projects like Kosmic Renaissance. Their history means their musical telepathy is profound: Boyce’s soaring, melodic improvisations dance over Gupta’s intricate, multi-layered grooves, seamlessly weaving together the worlds of Hindustani rhythm and free jazz improvisation.