Natraj seamlessly melds the classical music of India, traditional music from West Africa, and contemporary jazz to create its own unique and infectious style. Hard-driving African grooves and graceful Indian ragas meet in the band’s expansive jazz conception. Selected as Boston’s Best Jazz Band by the Improper Bostonian and nominated Best World Music Act in the Boston Music Awards, Natraj captivates and excites audiences with exotic textures, accessible melodies, and rhythmic energy. Natraj has delighted listeners throughout the US, Canada, India, and West Africa since 1987. Appearances include India’s JazzYatra and Prayojana International Music Festival; Ghana’s PANAFEST; the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto; the Guelph Jazz Festival, Guelph, Canada; and The Boston Globe Jazz and Blues Festival. Natraj has performed with icons of Indian classical music including Kadri Gopalnath, Chitravina N. Ravikiran, Shashank, Ronu Majumdar, and Trichy Sankaran, as well as younger masters like Aditya Kalyanpur, V. K. Raman, and Prasanna. Natraj features raga-influenced soprano and sopranino saxophonist Phil Scarff; the virtuosity of violinist and violist Rohan Gregory; the tabla and multipercussion wizardry of Jerry Leake; the warm, nimble solidity of bassist Mike Rivard; and high-energy groove of drummer Bertram Lehmann.