Raagaverse x Bollywood at Annex

Raagaverse x Bollywood
Friday, April 10, 2026
8 pm, doors at 7 pm
The Annex, 823 Seymour
Tickets in advance at Showpass: https://www.showpass.com/raagaverse-x-bollywood/

Raagaverse x Bollywood is a vibrant reimagining of classic Indian cinema through a contemporary jazz lens. Led by vocalist and arranger Shruti Ramani, this special performance revisits beloved songs from Indian film music, transforming them into rich, exploratory jazz arrangements that honor their melodic depth while opening new sonic possibilities. Most arrangements are by Ramani, with additional contributions by pianist Noah Franche-Nolan.

Joining them are Raagaverse members Trent Otter on drums and James Meger on bass, alongside guest trumpeter Feven Kidane and vocalist Smrithi Rajasekar, whose distinctive voices bring added color and energy to the ensemble.

This performance expands beyond music into a fully immersive artistic experience. Visual artist Michelle La will create live projections throughout the show, while dancer Sasha Ashwini premieres new choreography created especially for this collaboration.

Raagaverse x Bollywood promises an evening of reinvention and celebration, where iconic melodies of Indian cinema are reimagined in a jazz context.

2025 Juno Nominee for Best Jazz Album of the Year (Group), Raagaverse, led by vocalist Shruti Ramani, is a creative Indo-Jazz fusion band that pays homage to the two deeply historical and culturally-significant genres: classical Hindustani music and Jazz. Shruti brings her expertise in Hindustani music together with the quartet’s appreciation, knowledge, affinity and experience of the Jazz and other musical artforms.

Raagaverse retains the authenticity of both traditions, melding them seamlessly into one cohesive sound that is both dynamic and explosive with immense respect, depth and beauty.

Shruti’s musical fluency originates from her rigorous Hindustani training and degree under Dr. Ritu Johri in Mumbai, India, and her studies leading to a degree in Jazz from Capilano University. Her original compositions use melodies ornamented with traditional Hindustani nuances, with underlying modern Jazz harmonies and rhythms.

Raagaverse Cultural Society is a non-profit organization registered in the Province of BC in 2023 with the mandate to support the creation and production of innovative music, poetry, and art that brings together different cultures, styles and expressions. The Society will support musical endeavors that empower BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ and other marginalized communities to create and express their experience, ideas and vision. It will curate and present events and workshops that immerse Canadian audiences in diverse musical traditions from around the world.

Raagaverse x Bollywood takes place on the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Raagaverse Cultural Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver; and the Canada Council for the Arts through DKAM for presentation of this special event. 

URLs:
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3526037-0?pid=11710
YouTube: https://go.evvnt.com/3526037-5?pid=11710

Artists:  Raagaverse, Shruti Ramani, Noah Franche-Nolan, James Meger, Trent Otter, Feven Kidane, Smrithi Rajasekar, Michelle La, ephemeral objects, Sasha Ashwini

Time:  20:00 -  21:30