PART OF THE EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL

Doors open 7pm, music starts 8pm.

Free Flow Classikal is returning to Karamel for EFG London Jazz Festival 2025 with a very dynamic lineup: Jonathan Mayer (electric sitar), Shri Ghadvi (tabla), Robin Christian (bansuri), James Pusey (electric guitar) and Jihad Darwish (bass).

Join us for a moving exploration of South Asian Classical music through the medium of free improvisation. No boundaries - No limits.

Jonathan Mayer, son of the late Kolkata composer John Mayer, is a renowned sitarist & composer, who has composed extensively for many genres including jazz, Indian, dance & symphonic writing and has performed all over the world, and two very successful tours in India. His ability to read Western notation has allowed him to perform in a variety of genres – playing with artists such as Orlando Consort, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Concert Orchestra, among other notable names.

Shri Gadhvi is a versatile tabla player and music producer, with the ability to blend the Indian tabla with popular western music, creating an incredible fusion of music that transcends boundaries and creates a unique experience that will leave a lasting impression. Shri has performed across the globe, as well as at prestigious venues and events such as The Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, The Commonwealth Games and the BBC.

Robin Christian is a music composer and flautist, who plays and directs almost every form of music, which ranges from folk, devotional, soul, classical in both eastern and western fields. With his recognised talent he has been asked to perform with various well-known artists including leading playback singers like Kavita Krishnamurti, Alka Yagnik, Maha Laxmi, K.S. Chitra, Salim Merchant, Bappi Lahiri, Anuradha Paudwal and Shaan, and the famous Gujarati singer Praful Dave, Karshan Sagathia and many more.

James Pusey is a UK-based guitarist who also works as an online session guitarist doing recording sessions from his studio in London, and boasts extensive experience in both Western Music and Indian Music/Sitar. He has performed at notable venues like the Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Apollo and o2 London, and has played and recorded around the world with a large number of artists like Omar, G4, Michael Bolton, and Paloma Faith, among others.

Jihad Darwish is a musician, composer, and producer whose artistic journey has evolved towards a deep exploration of sitar and Indian classical music. After years of working across jazz, folk, and contemporary music, collaborating with artists such as Sting, Van Morrison, Anderson Paak, Eric Bibb, Imelda May, Mica Paris and Arthur Verocai, he has increasingly focused on integrating the sitar’s rich tradition into his compositions. He has performed at notable venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, the Barbican to the Sydney Opera House and Montreux Jazz Festival.

Free Flow Classikal is a new border dwelling concept that explores free improvisation across music genres perspective-ed from south Asian classical form - in development at Karamel, home of zerOclassikal, and one of north London’s premiere jazz venues.

Karamel - 4 Coburg Road, London N22 6UJ. The Karamel vegan kitchen will be serving food until 9.30pm. Email karamel8775@gmail.com to book a table for groups of 3+.

Doors open 7pm, music starts at 8pm.

£13 General admission; £10 Earlybird;