Kinsmen is a SAMA (South African Music Awards) nominated Ethno-jazz and Indo-jazz band based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The band was founded by Dhruv Sodha, Shailesh Pillay and Muhammad Dawjee, all originally from Laudium – an Indian apartheid group area on the western outskirts of Pretoria. Their work explores the intersection of culture, tradition and modernity through composition and improvised music.
Kinsmen released their debut album 'Window to the Ashram' in June 2017. It’s a collection of narratives, poetically woven together with the creative use of space afforded by a trio.
The language of Kinsmen draws on a myriad of influences including Indian classical, mainstream jazz, avant-garde, world fusion and South African jazz. The instrumentation is an innovative leap away from traditional forms of ‘Indian’ music currently promoted and exhibited in South Africa.
Saxophones - Muhammad Dawjee
Sitar - Dhruv Sodha
Tabla - Shailesh Pillay
