The career of Sunny Jain is a celebration of cultural diaspora: deep-rooted tradition that ripples outward, changing – and being changed by – the cultures that it touches. He is a composer, drummer, dhol player and community engager. Called the “Hendrix of dhol” by Manchester Salon (UK), Jain is also known for founding the band Red Baraat, a frenzied fusion of bhangra, hip-hop, jazz, rock, and sheer, unbridled energy that NPR has called “the best party band in years.” Since 2012, Jain has been curating Red Baraat Festival of Colors, a multi-city annual festival showcasing artists of the South Asian diaspora.

In 2014, NPR commissioned Jain to premiere a piece for “Make Music New York” day. Jain’s “100+ BPM” convened more than 350 musicians on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library, including drum lines from the New York Jets, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.

In 2019, Jain became musical director for the OBIE award-winning theatrical show, The Jungle. That same year, he also music directed the massive celebration for Lincoln Center’s 60th Anniversary and St. Ann’s Warehouse gala.

On February 21, 2020, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released Jain’s Wild Wild East. Jon Pareles of The New York Times called the title track “furiously propulsive” and many have acclaimed it as Jain’s best work yet.

On May 21, 2021, Jain released Phoenix Rise, a collaborative effort featuring over 50 artists, such as Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Michael League (Snarky Puppy), Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas), Endea Owens (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and Joe Russo (jam band darling). Accompanied by a book that combines music, art, photography and plant-based recipes, all in the name of social justice. As executive producer and music producer, Jain partnered with Center for Constitutional Rights to fundraise and advocate for the work they do. 2021 also saw Jain receiving the MAP Fund, supporting the development of his first musical theater work, Love Force.

Lynn Ligammari is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance and Education. Known for her versatility, Lynn performs with a wide array of musical projects that include; Bright Eyes, Antibalas, Aaron Frazer, Durand Jones & The Indications, Conor Oberst, Red Baraat, Holy Hand Grenade, Sinkane, The Last Nites, Dawn Drake & Zapoté, The Grand Victory, Extra Syrup Horns, and more. In addition to performing, she is a saxophone instructor for Mannes Prep at the New School, and is a Teaching Artist for Lincoln Center Education where she has led various workshops both at home and abroad for the past 13+ years.

Ben Parag is a vocalist and musician based in Queens, New York.

Shubh Saran is a New York-based guitarist and composer who has performed globally with his band, including in the United States, India, Canada, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Mexico. Having grown up in six different countries, his career has been shaped by a mixture of influences. Shubh’s intricate compositions fuse sounds from modern jazz, neo-soul, and rock with classical and contemporary Indian music. On February 10th 2020, he released his latest EP Becoming.

Almog Sharvit is a bassist and composer based in Brooklyn, NY. He creates surreal, maximalist compositions that combine both acoustic and electronic textures. In New York, Almog has established himself as a creative force: his collective trio KADAWA with Tal Yahalom (guitar) and Ben Silashi (drums) has received accolades and features from The New York Times, All About Jazz, Indiecurrent, and the Vancouver Sun among others. Almog performs around New York in venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, Nublu, Blue Note, The Lincoln Center, Bar Next Door, and Fat Cat.