StEpHeN DeVaSsY playing in A.R RaHmAnS CoNcErT....

The "A.R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour" kicks off June 11 at the Nassau Coliseum in New York and will span 16 major cities worldwide. For the trek, Rahman is collaborating with creative director Amy Tinkman, who has worked to create concerts for Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Mariah Carey. The tour will not only feature Rahman's music, but also dance arrangements and acrobatics inspired by his native India. A press release described the concert as a "theatrical experience" utilizing "new technologies." The announcement comes after Rahman took part in the 2010 remake of "We Are The World" to benefit Haiti. Performances on the A.R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour will include songs from Slumdog Millionaire as well as the Indian films Lagaan, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Dil Se, Rang De Basanti and Roja'. Additional dates have yet to be announced. Here are the tour dates for the A.R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour: Jun. 11: Uniondale, N.Y. (Nassau Coliseum) Jun. 12: Atlantic City, N.J. (Boardwalk Hall Arena) Jun. 13: Washington, D.C. (Patriot Center) Jun. 18: Chicago, Ill. (Sears Centre Arena) Jun. 19: Detroit, Mich. (Pontiac Silverdome) Jun. 20: Toronto, Ontario (Air Canada Centre) Jun. 26: San Francisco, Calif. (Oracle Arena) Jun. 27: Los Angeles, Calif. (The Forum) Jul. 2: Dallas, Texas (American Airlines Center) Jul. 3: Houston, Texas (Houston Toyota Center) Jul. 9: Amsterdam, Netherlands (Ohio Arena) Jul. 10: Paris, France (Bercy) Jul. 18: Oslo, Norway (Oslo Spektrum) Jul. 23: Glasgow, Scotland (SECC) Jul. 24: Manchester, England (M.E.N. Arena) Jul. 25: London, England (O2 Arena) Jul. 26: London, England (Wembley Stadium) AND I AM HAPPY TO TELL YOU THAT OUR sTePhEn dEvAsSy will be playing the keyboard,may be because A.R Rahman knows that StEpHeN Is tHe bEsT... ALL THE BEST sTePhY...GO AND RoCk THE WORLD...

An ArTicLe aBoUt StEpHy...

Watch Stephen Devassy on stage and you see a rock star. But have a conversation with him offstage and you discover a soft-spoken, but fiercely determined youngster, for whom music is not just a passion, but the very life and soul. For someone so absurdly talented, with thousands of real and virtual fans, 28-year-old Stephen Devassy is remarkably grounded.Most Malayalis would know this Ottapaalam native as the smart-looking keyboard player in the Amrita Super Star reality show. Few might be aware that the program showcases only a fraction of his real talent, that his record as the highest scorer in Asia in solo piano (Grade eight) as a 19-year-old remains unbroken.The difference with Stephen was that he didn’t fizzle out in adulthood like many such prodigies.“Western classical music has only a very limited audience in our country. I knew very early that I wanted to reach out to the masses somehow and bring Western classical to the common man.” The solution he found was to fuse popular and western, and present it in such a way that even a hard rock fan enjoyed the sounds without realising that it was Beethoven or Bach. Of course, Stephen’s amazing stage presence and perfect fingers helped, and the number of fusion stage shows that he has done so far has crossed 1000, unheard of for an instrumentalist.The only country which he “hasn’t travelled to for shows is Antarctica,” he says.Following an initial stint with Malayalam music directors Stephen went on to accompany and tour extensively with some of the most illustrious names in classical music in the country - Hariharan, U Srinivas, Sivamani, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Zakir Hussain, L Subramanian - all before he turned 28! Surely, he had a Godfather? “Not at all,” he laughs. “I am somebody who doesn’t have a precedent in this field, I just accepted whatever came my way. With God’s grace, my performances would always be noted by someone in the audience who would recommend me to someone else and so on.Maybe the next generation will know how to pick and choose; the only thing lacking for the talent pool here is exposure,” he adds.Stephen is currently working on his second ‘Sarodh Sympony’ album with Ayaan and Amaan, sons of Amjad Ali Khan. He was involved in the background of the recently launched Phir Mile Sur, and has been accompanying A R Rahman on all of his Jai Ho concerts and will be doing 30 more of them all over the world, beginning in May. He has done the background score for many of the maestro’s compositions like Azhakiya Thamizhmakan and for an upcoming album produced by Rahman, sung by Rashid Ali. He continues to be part of the International Rex band.Keeping the audience engaged on one hand, delivering complex classical pieces on the other, how does he manage it all on stage? “There have been times when I suddenly drew a blank on stage. On those times my faith in God is the only thing that makes me go ahead. I can’t do without it.” He also has a strong support system in his family, “When I chose music as my path I was at an age when my father had a strong command over me. But somehow he did not oppose, I believe it’s also God’s will.” Stephen’s calendar for the year ahead is full - with a few international concerts as well -he will be performing in Womad 2010 and in the MusikMesse Frankfurt in March, some of the biggest events in world music. “I want to bring in elements of Indian music in what I present there,” he says. His greatest dream, is to do his bit in bringing Indian music to a global level, “like how Santana brought Latin American music to the mainstream.” He also wants to start his own compositions soon and hopes to see a symphony orchestra coming to India.And what else is happening in his life other than music? “Initially, I had planned that I would not get married, but now I think I will, if only for the sake of my mother,” he says. What does he think of all those online fan sites where every move of his is discussed in detail? “I don’t really go through them though it means a lot more responsibility” comes a causal answer. As an afterthought he adds.“My only wish is to remain the same at heart, whatever happens - whether I quit this field or reach greater heights.” Obviously, music is an end in itself for this youngster, not a means to fame.
COURSTEY: Asha Prakash,Express Buzz

StEpHy & BeNnY DaYaL RoCkS KoChIn...

It was euphoria night for students of Adi Sankara Engineering college, Kalady, on Thursday night as singer Benny Dayal and instrumentalist Stephen Devassy hit the stage with a two-and-a-half-hour long power packed performance as part of their annual techfest - Brahma 2010.The concert named Rhythm of Lyf... was held at the IMA hall, Kaloor, and was scheduled t o start at 7.15 pm but it was around 8 by the time the acoustics was ready. The crowd that was hooting with impatience broke into a loud cheer when Stephen entered the stage with a casual ‘Namaskaram’ and his characteristic invocation to God. “The music that you are going to hear comes from above, not from us,” he said. A rhythmic fusion performance came first, with each of the instrumentalists - Nirmal, Josie, Josie and Shomi giving spectacular solos on the flute, saxophone, guitar and drums.An even livelier piece followed that had Adi Shankarites up on their feet.The bundle of energy that he is, Benny’s entry itself had the crowd app l a u d i n g .Benny began his performance with the song which launched his career - Madurakku Pokathedi - followed by Endrendrum which had the crowd dancing like crazy from then on. It was difficult to watch Benny with a straight face, what with the series of outlandish hats he kept changing, the occasional Malayalam words and bharatanatyam steps he sprinkled his performance with. But beneath it all was a superb voice and of course, the most breathtaking moves.The best part of the concert was that the duo kept the energy levels sky high throughout the show and was in constant conversation with the audience.Stephen also delivered a few purely Western classical pieces, but only after explaining their significance. “Many of the popular melodies that you hear are often originally Western classical pieces,” he said, playing the well-known ‘Fur Elise’ by Beethoven. “This composition was dedicated to a woman in his life..Whatever is dedicated to a girl seems to come out really well,” he remarked, much to the delight of the women.The next song was dedicated to the departed legend Michael Jackson - a seamless blending of ‘I’m here with you,’ ‘They don’t really care about us’ and many more. On the whole, the concert overflowed with A R Rahman through and through, with the creative instrumental version of the best love songs of the past two decades going down very well with the crowd.The highlight of the show came with Benny’s delivery of Masakkali, in such a superb voice that the crowd almost swooned.By the time the concert ended around 10.30 pm, all were exhausted but not so much as to collect autographs or just a handshake from Stephen and Benny.
COURSTEY Express Buzz

The lEgAcY CoNtInUeS......

Our star celebrated his 29th Birthday on February 23rd.

This is a step in his long journey,May he achieve more heights and glory always wishing him all the very best from the bottom of my HeArT.....

gO...StEpHy...gO...

Always lOvING YOUR MUZIK

-vIvEk

WiSh StEpHeN DeVaSsY On hIs bIrThDaY….

Hi Friends,

Hope you all know that on 23^rd February 2010,

it’s the 29^th Birthday of our talented ChOcOlAtE mUzIcIaN…

So lets wish him from our inner heart…

Just leave a comment wishing him for his birthday also do write your views about your favourite star…..

So lets wish him together in a loud voice so that he can hear it from any corner of the world….

ThAnK YoUz…

CoNgRaTs AR Rahman FoR GrAmMyS...

Los Angeles: Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman continued his winning streak, bagging two Grammy awards for his foot-tapping number ‘Jai Ho’ and outstanding soundtrack for the film Slumdog Millionaire.


“This is insane, God is great again,” an elated Rahman said while accepting the golden gramophones at the Staples Center here, his first Grammy win.


The composer shared the award for ‘Jai Ho’ with lyricist Gulzar and Tanvi Shah, who penned the Spanish words of the international hit.


“I never dreamt about winning all these awards,” the 44-year-old said, adding, “All my well wishers from the world who keep me going ...Jai Ho India ...!”


Rahman won in the category of Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media for Slumdog Millionaire and Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media for ‘Jai Ho.’


Sunday’s win was reminiscent of his victory at last year’s Oscars where the ‘Mozart of Madras’ bagged two Academy awards for his music in Slumdog Millionaire, besides winning a Golden Globe and a BAFTA award.

A.R.RahMan's ShOw iN SyDnEy...

A show was been conducted at Sydney on Jan 16th By A.R. Rahman...well your guess was true the Keyboard was handled by our muzikal maestro STePhEn dEvAsSy....

Music of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya launched in London ,,,

DECEMBER 22, 2009

The soundtrack to the forthcoming Tamil film, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (“Will you come to me, from across the sky?”), was previewed on Saturday evening at a reception at BAFTA in London.

The soundtrack, by Oscar winning composer A.R. Rahman, accompanies the latest film from director Gautham Vasudev Menon. All the artists featured on the soundtrack performed live at the launch and A.R.
Rahman went on stage to talk about the film and also to thank his fans.

The top singers of India, including National award winning Naresh Iyer (Roobaroo from Rang de Basanti) performed to a select VIP and press audience who were extatic to have mingles with the actors, Simbu and Trisha and their favourite musicians like Blaaze, the lyricist on Hollywood movies like Slumdog Millionaire and Couples Retreat.The backing notes was given by the great Keyboard player player Stephen Devassy..

This is the first Tamil soundtrack that AR Rahman has worked on since winning the Oscars. Speaking at the launch, AR Rahman said: “Winning the Oscars was great and it does make you mindful of a global cross-over audience, but every film I work on is precious to me. The music is key for this film; Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa is a story of two different cultures, and all the emotion of that comes through the music. It's the first time that Gautham and I have worked together and because it's a new combination, there has been a lot of curiosity and anticipation about the soundtrack.”

 The seven-song soundtrack features lyrics in Tamil, Malayalam. The soundtrack will be released globally through Sony BMG in January 2010.

Music:
A.R.Rahman

STUDIO:
ESCAPE ARTISTS MOTION PICTURES AND RS ENTERTAINMENT

PRODUCERS:

MADAN, GANESH, ELRED, JAYARAMAN

DIRECTOR:
GAUTAM VASUDEV MENON

STARS:
TRISHA KRISHNAN, SILAMBARASAN

LYRICS:
THAMARAI

Label:
Sony Music

Backing vocals:
Hosanna : Blaaze, Suzanne, Vivek Agarwal, Dr. Narayanan, V.V. Prassanna, Haricharan Sesh

Hosanna : Choir by KM Music Conservatory

Nadaswaram on Omana Penne : Natarajan

Guitar : Johny, George, Sanjeev Thomas

Solo Violin : Ganesh Rajagopalan

Bass guitar : Keith Peters

Flute : Naveen, Kiran

Cello : Elith Martyn

Chennai strings conductor:
V.J. Srinivasamurthy

Additional programming:
T.R. Krishna Chetan, Deepak P.A., Hentry Kuruvilla, Vivianne Chaix

Additional vocal supervisor :
Srinivas

Sound engineers:
Sivakumar S., Deepak P.A., T.R. Krishna Chetan, Vivianne Chaix, Suresh Perumal, Kannan Ganpat

Recorded and mixed at Panchathan Record-Inn and AM Studios
Chennai Mixed by K.J. Singh and Deepak P.A.

Mastered by Sivakumar S.
Mastered at AM Studios, Chennai

Music co-ordination:
Noel James, Faizuddin T.M.

Musicians' fixer:
Samidurai

BrEaKiNg bArRiErS...

Twelve Christmases ago, sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, played a memorable version of ’Silent Night’ in the Church of North India, New Delhi – an experience that some who were privileged to be there, claim, still brings out the goose pimples for them, when ever they recollect that rare combination of music and devotion. After all these years, the Ustad finally found the time, recently, to get together with a skilled arranger – Stephen Devassy – and a sensitive instrumental group – the Southern String Orchestra – to create, what is without doubt, one of the most unusual, and most ’Indian’ Christmas music experiences to be available in recorded form.

Airtel has supported this venture and Times Music has issued the album (Breaking Barriers; CD Rs 295; Cassette Rs. 65), just in time for the rest of us to experience the warm and mellifluous touch that the Ustad’s sarod brings to “Joy to the World”, “Silent Night”, “Jingle Bells”, “We Three Kings” and five other well loved hymns and carols. The mixing of the solo instrument and the orchestra by Manoj Kumar and Sam Devassy is superb – and makes for a true-fusion experience.

Let the barriers break and the soulful music flow...

MaHaLEELa....

This review is of an album that released a couple of months back. The reason I write this review in spite of it being couple of months old, is that I don’t want any music follower to have missed out this album. I have not been a big fan of Sivamani’s previous album with James Asher, Drums on Fire, mainly because it was a predominantly percussion-oriented album with pretty much nothing else. Although it excellently showcased Sivamani’s mastery over the field, I found it lacking in diversity. However Mahaleela has completely floored me, as it has a lot more elements than just percussion. The list of people who have teamed up with Sivamani for this album, which includes almost all of his fusion buddies from India and some from outside, is itself more than enough to give the listener a pretty good idea of what to expect. Enough intro I suppose. Here goes the review.

Dancing on the Moon

The track starts off with a rendition of Sarva Mangala Mangalye by the Bosnian singer Alma Ferovic. Alma Ferovic is a singer/lyricist who has been closely associated with A R Rahman, singing his theme for the Chennai-based NGO Banyan and working with him on his LoTR soundtrack. You might want to visit her myspace page and I assure guys that you won’t be disappointed! Alma has got excellent looks to match her singing skills!Along with Alma this song sees Tanvi with supporting vocals, A Premkumar doing the rhythm programming and of course Sivamani on the percussions.

Kriya
This song has Louiz Banks on the keys supported by Steven(I wonder if this is the keyboard prodigy from Kerala, Stephen Devassy), Sitar by Niladri Kumar and Naveen on flute. The Sitar is evidently an electric one and could easily pass off for an electric guitar in many places. A lounge/spiritual song a la Prem Joshua, this song is a good choice if you are looking for a meditative sort of ambience.

Abbaji
Dedicated to all the masters of percussion, this song has Zakir Hussain and Sivamani engaging in a bout of Konnakol. The start of the track I believe is a pre-recorded Konnakol session by the late Tabla maestro Ustad Allah Rakha, as he is also seen in the credits list. The song sees Naveen at his best on the flute, excellently complementing the vocals. Krishna Chetan on the keyboard. The raga I believe is Abheri or Shuddha Dhanyasi, though I could be wrong.

Infinity
This lullaby starts with a discourse by Osho. The Tamil folk rendition by Pandaram Selvam has been brilliant, and the blending of the Sarangi by Liyakath Ali Khan in to this South Indian-ish song has been simply superb! Wonder why the regular Sarangi maestro, Ustad Sultan Khan was not chosen for this one, but that by no means takes any credit off Liyakath Ali Khan who has been astounding in the song. The backing vocals by Subhangi Bose and Kavitha and Group also deserve a mention at this point.

Santushti
This is the only pure-percussion track in the entire album and I must say Sivamani makes the most of the opportunity, bringing in an entire array of percussion instruments into play starting from drumming on water to Chendamelam from Kerala to Japanese taiko drums. The taiko drum section in the end however resembles the taiko drum sequence in Dacoit Duel by A R Rahman in the Mandarin movie Warriors of Heaven and Earth.

Basin Bridge
To hear Mandolin Srinivas in action is always a very pleasant experience and it is no difference in this song either. Add to that some splendid percussion and this song becomes a mesmerizing experience. The Kuthu style Tamil folk beats are something Sivamani invariably includes in all of his performances, and in this album he chooses to put them at the end of this song. The English vocals by Sonia however could have been done without.

Mother’s Land
Naveen in action yet again, this time alongside the next two veterans, R Parthasarathy on Veena and Vikku Vinayakram on Ghatam. The flute bit could be in raga Kanada or Darbari Kanada. The folksy rendition by Rangbir has a thottam song feel to it. On the whole the song could easily pass of for a Tamil or a Malayalam movie song!

Vasi Vasi
Shankar Mahadevan joins the party with this song, and what a song indeed! Shankar eases through the high notes with his characteristic improvisations, accompanied by Nomojin. One can hear percussion resembling kitchen utensils in between. The incorporation of a bagpipe-like sound sequence in between has been beautiful.

S M Anandan
A tribute to Sivamani’s father, this song is a bit complex and with dark overtones. The song starts with song aggressive Kanjira by Selvaganesh Vinayakram, and then goes through a rollercoaster ride of a lot of other percussion instruments. Although Janette Harris is credited to the usage of saxophone in this song, I couldn’t recognize a sax sound anywhere. Wonder if the kombu sound or shell sound heard in between is a prepared usage of the sax.

Jam Packed
This song sees a duel of sorts between Hariharan, who starts with a ghazal, and Raja and Tala on the sax. The song is the best song in the pack from the fusion point of view, touching on Hindustani, Carnatic and Jazz. Zakir Hussain is on tabla and Harmith on the keyboard, apart from Sivamani as usual on drums and percussion.

Thank You
Sivamani chooses to thank all the people who made a difference to his life and those who worked on this album, through a song, thus making up the 12th track of the album. This one has Sivamani going through his vote-of-thanks while Blaaze raps on in the background. Towards the end of the song there is also some good Carnatic sax by Janardhanan.