Dhol Foundation

Drawing from a traditional North Indian percussion instrument fashioned from a sizable wooden body, the expansive Dhol Foundation ensemble fuses longstanding Indian musical traditions with propulsive world music grooves to yield an inventive and captivating sonic identity. Johnny Kalsi, serving as arranger, drummer, keyboardist, and vocalist, leads the group and developed his expertise as a former member of the noted Bhangra outfit Alaap. Once part of that collective, Kalsi began exploring forceful rhythms alongside current dance styles, and responding to frequent requests from enthusiasts eager to learn the approach, he established one of England’s largest Dhol training centers, also named the Dhol Foundation. In 2001 several of his students collaborated with him on the ensemble’s first recording, Big Drum: Small World.