Three Musicians. Three Bands.
Autorickshaw Trio, FreePlay Duo, and Ed Hanley Solo
Canadian multi-stylistic musicians Suba Sankaran (voice), Ed Hanley (tabla) and Dylan Bell (bass, voice) combine and recombine styles and sounds to provide three completely different musical ensembles.
Video playlist (8 videos)
AUTORICKSHAW TRIO – Indo-Jazz Fusion
Autorickshaw’s music lies on the cultural cutting edge, as pop, jazz, funk and folk easily rub shoulders with the music of India. Formed in 2003, Autorickshaw is one of the most intriguing acts on the world music and jazz landscapes, garnering 2004 and 2007 JUNO nominations for World Music Album of the Year (Canadian ‘Grammy Awards’), the John Lennon Songwriting Competition Grand Prize in World Music and numerous other national and international awards. Their sound showcases the sultry, sophisticated vocals of Suba Sankaran, anchored by the melodic bass-lines & beatboxing of Dylan Bell over a bed of intricate Indian percussion by Ed Hanley. The group’s diverse repertoire and range of Eastern and Western elements could only come from musicians with deep roots in both traditions.
“…When their forces are combined, the results are utterly unique and musically pioneering” -The Record
FREEPLAY DUO – Inspired Eclecticism
Multifaceted musicians Suba Sankaran and Dylan Bell join forces to create the FreePlay Duo. Described as “inspired eclecticism”, using nothing but their voices and a loopstation, Dylan and Suba will take you from the concert halls of Europe, to the jazz clubs of Manhattan, to the temples of India, and back to the cultural mosaic of their native Toronto… all without leaving your seat. From Bach to Bird to the Beatles, Dylan and Suba effortlessly cross musical boundaries to create a concert of endless variety, with the intimate delivery of two people. Imagine Simon and Garfunkel crossed with a Bach 2-part invention… or an acrobatic jazz melody combined with ancient Indian solkattu… or an 8-part vocal arrangement created by two singers, using innovative live-looping techniques… and you’ll get a glimpse of what the Duo has to offer.
“They had the audience smiling throughout, with cheers and resounding applause for their virtuoso performance,” Valerie Kent, concert presenter, Nairobi
ED HANLEY – Solo Tabla, Ancient and Modern
Tabla player Ed Hanley demonstrates a deep devotion to this ancient Indian percussion instrument, having studied and performed around the world for over twenty-five years. Ed takes his knowledge of Indian music principles to new and exciting places, combining rhythmic poetry with modern elements of electronica, live-sound manipulation and video projection to bring a timeless artform into the twenty-first century.
“Ed Hanley is a remarkable player, both in his musical thoughtfulness and his technical virtuosity.”-The Chronicle Herald
Their compact trio-formation makes them an ideal touring unit, giving far more musical, logistical, and economic flexibility than most larger musical ensembles. Multiple ensembles make them ideal for music festival programming. In addition to the performance element, Dylan, Suba and Ed are experienced educators, giving masterclasses in subjects including, but not limited to:
- Carnatic music principles (raga and tala)
- Hindustani music principles (rhythmic patterns and drum technique)
- Jazz improvisation (instrumental and vocal)
- A cappella vocal specialties (live looping, vocal percussion, vocal arranging)
- Choral techniques (ensemble coaching, teaching songs by-rote)
- Music industry concepts (touring, social media marketing, recording)
Suba, Ed and Dylan have taken this multi-band format around the world, including stops in India, Nepal, Germany, the UK, the U.S., and the Czech Republic.
For more information, visit each group at: