OMAYJO
TABLA - PIANO - SAX
Tabla-player Ayaaz Yasin, saxophonist Om Srivastava and Jonathan formed the group known as Omayjo.
The trio met regularly at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM during 2023, where Om is adjunct instructor of saxophone, and at Jonathan's studio, to investigate and develop extended improvisations that reference and reflect the Indian raag tradition together with elements of jazz and other western musical forms.
The interplay of the instruments creates musical conversations that range from moments of great peace and ethereal beauty to the frenzy of a very contemporary struggle, finding resolution in the harmony of a collective vision.
In May of 2023, the trio recorded a live improvised album which is set for release during 2024.
OMAYJO in the studio, May 2023. (L to R) Ayaaz Yasin, Jonathan Salisbury, Om Srivastava.
AYAAZ YASIN
TABLA
JONATHAN SALISBURY
PIANO
OM SRIVASTAVA
SAXOPHONE
Ayaaz Yasin is a dedicated tabla player studying under the guidance of Prof. James Feist at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. Ayaaz specializes in the Punjab style of tabla, following the lineage of Ustad Alla Rakha.
Yasin has performed at multiple recitals, conferences, and educational seminars around the Midwest, collaborating with Hindustani classical as well as Jazz and Western classical performers.
Yasin grew up in Delhi, India and is currently a graduate student in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati.
Jonathan Salisbury is originally from the UK. He lived in London for almost 25 years reveling in the rich cultural landscape that the city has to offer. Creating music since childhood, he first studied the cello, then switched to guitar and vocals, and was lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist in bands throughout his youth up until the age of 32.
Throughout his life he has improvised on the piano and in 2016, he recorded his solo piano album Ovingdean, following up with live improvised concerts in Los Angeles.
Salisbury is an accomplished actor, stage director and producer. He was the artistic director of a multi-arts festival and three performing arts centers in London. As Arts Program Manager for a 1400-seat venue in Los Angeles for many years, he curated and programmed an exciting arts program of music, theatre, film and visual arts, to celebrate a diverse community.
In his time in the US, he has released three full length albums and two EP's and composed for film and video projects.
His studio work includes projects with Gary Miller (David Bowie, George Michael, Donna Summer, Katy Perry, Santana, etc) and Philip Larsen (Soft Cell, Charli XCX, Kylie Minogue, etc).
Hailing from Kokomo, Indiana, Om Srivastava, DMA, is a saxophonist and educator passionate about contemporary and world music. He has performed throughout the United States and abroad including featured performances with the Kokomo and Ball State Symphony Orchestras, as well as with the BSU Jazz Ensemble's tour of China. He has been an active performer in the festivals of the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, New York, the New Harmony Music Festival and the Covington World Music Fest.
As a chamber musician, Srivastava was named a finalist in the International Coleman Chamber Music Competition (2013) and semi-finalist in the North American Saxophone Alliance Competition (2016). In 2013 he released the album Through Adam's Fall with the Promethean Quartet and in 2017 he released his solo debut Antara comprised of Indian fusion music for saxophone and tabla. He was awarded a 2015 IndianRaga fellowship and was named a Fellow at the 2017 Cortona Sessions for New Music in Tuscany, Italy.
Recent performances include performing alongside Tony Award winner Matthew Morrison with the Lexington Pops Orchestra, Grammy nominated guitarist Fareed Haque at the Lincoln Center, and with the RagaTone Ensemble at Joe's Pub in New York City. Srivastava holds a cognate in ethnomusicology from CCM were he focused on classical North Indian music and tabla, studying under Stefan Fiol and Jim Feist. His saxophone instructors include Larry Kirkman, George Wolfe, James Bunte and Nathan Nabb.