The Three Seas

Led by Artistic Director Matt Keegan, The Three Seas is an international, intercultural music project that fuses modern Australian jazz with the West Bengali folk tradition to create a unique and soulful sonic imprint that radiates joy.

Drawing on the earthy tones of north Indian folk music with a focus on the Baul tradition, The Three Seas combines contemporary jazz and western production aesthetics to playfully create new pathways and transport audiences into new musical worlds.

A project ten years in the making, the remarkable members of The Three Seas have been drawn together by a deep love of music, a mutual respect for their distinct and diverse cultural origins and a shared passion for creating songs that resonate universally.

2011 Freedman Jazz Fellow, Matt Keegan’s search for new sounds first drew him to India in 2009. It was in the beautiful town of Santiniketan that he first met these wonderful West Bengali musicians and understood that a collaboration with colleagues from Australia could create something really special.

The Three Seas is fronted by Baul singer Raju Das, who’s full-hearted voice and radiant stage presence is accentuated by his mastery of the khamak and its danceable rhythms. The Bauls are a nomadic tribe with a rich cultural heritage and their own language, dance and musical style. Generations of Raju’s family have lovingly passed down these traditions with a deep emphasis on spirituality and a heartfelt focus on the vast energetic presence within the human body, as expressed through song and dance. Some of The Three Seas pieces are modern interpretations of ancient Baul songs that celebrate this spirit.

SPECIAL OFFER: Receive a copy of The Three Sea's new album ‘Fathers, Sons & Brothers’ with your purchase when you book tickets to see The Three Seas at The Street! Your CD will be available to collect from the Box Office on the night of the performance.

Featuring Matt Keegan (saxophone, clarinet), Raju Das Baul (vocals, khamak), Deoashish Mothey (vocals, dotora, esraj, guitar) Steve Elphick (bass) Gaurab Gaboo Chatterjee (dubki, drums)