Other Projects
In addition to his solo career, Akash is involved in various other musical projects in and around Wellington, NZ.
Satyagraha
Drawing similar inspirations as his solo compositions, “Satyagraha” is Akash’s newest ensemble project based in Wellington, NZ. Combining the best of talent at the NZSM the group explores the way that jazz interacts with various traditional musical cultures from across the world. From classical Indian to Israeli, and Greek music, Satyagraha is a musical representation of the various cosmopolitan cultures exhibited in New Zealand’s capital city.
Satyagraha performing at Wellington’s famed Rogue and Vagabond jazz club. Pictured (from left): Akash Dutta, Alex Cooper, Zoe Ioannou, Baileigh Sparkes (out of frame)
TEDxTauranga 2021
Akash Dutta works his magic on the piano as he performs three jazz pieces, beginning with a solo piano arrangement of the jazz-samba fusion classic “Spain”, written by piano maestro Chick Corea. He then plays two original compositions. The first is “The Migration,” a through-composed tone poem inspired by the sea-battered coastlines of Wellington and contemporary jazz composers like Avishai Cohen and Tigran Hamasyan. And finally “Typhoon” from his 2020 album Tales of A Traveller, blending Indian classical music and elements of heavy metal with the modalities of post-bop jazz artists such as John Coltrane.
https://www.tedxtauranga.com/project/akash-dutta/
The Massey Free Jazz Ensemble
The Massey Free Jazz Ensemble is an octet pushing the boundaries of free-form and avant-garde expressions of post-bop jazz. Consisting of a mix of professional and amateur musicians, the MFJE recorded a 90-minute suite of wholly improvised music with no preconceptions of tonality, form, rhythm, or timbre.
The Wellington Ska Orchestra
Led by famed NZ jazz musician and educator Rodger Fox, the Wellington Ska Orchestra is the first of its kind in New Zealand. Comprising a combination of NZSM alumni, artist teachers, and current students, the Wellington Ska Orchestra puts a unique spin on ska and reggae classics, as well as adaptation of other popular and jazz pieces.
Instant Party Machine
Inspired by the greats of boogaloo, hard bop, and soul jazz. Instant Party Machine is a 1960s themed organ quartet comprising of current NZSM jazz performance students. They have performed at various locations around Wellington as well as featuring in the Downtown Carnival as part of the National Jazz Festival held in Tauranga, NZ in 2021.
Members of Instant Party Machine (from left): Alex Trask, TJ Shirtcliffe, Abe Baillie, Akash Dutta