Ensemble

Background

NeckarGanga is an intercultural ensemble that fuses the rich traditions of Indian classical music with the creative improvisation of jazz and contemporary European music. Formed in 2015, the ensemble’s name symbolizes the connection between the Neckar River in Germany and the Ganges (Ganga) River in India, reflecting its mission to unite diverse musical cultures. The ensemble was born from a deep-rooted friendship and musical exploration between German and Indian musicians, creating a unique sound that transcends borders.

The Journey

The ensemble’s story began in February 2014 when Peter Hinz (percussion) and Steffen Dix (saxophone) traveled to India. They studied Indian classical music at the “International Music Centre Ashram” in Varanasi, one of India’s major music hubs. Under the guidance of tabla master Keshav Rao Nayak and sitar maestro Shyam Rastogi, the duo discovered a new musical language. This connection laid the foundation for the formation of NeckarGanga. With the addition of tabla virtuoso Sandip Rao Kewale and bassist Jonathan Sell, the ensemble was complete by July 2015, in Mannheim, Germany. Supported by the city of Mannheim and the Oriental Music Academy, the ensemble developed its first concert program and quickly made its mark on the world music scene.

In July 2016, NeckarGanga released their debut album, *Innaad*, and toured extensively through Germany and Switzerland. Their music resonated with audiences across Europe, and by 2017, the ensemble was performing in 22 venues across Germany, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, including appearances at Germany’s largest world music festival in Rudolstadt and Berlin’s iconic “b flat” jazz club. That same year, they released their first music video, *Banares Blues*.

The journey continued in 2018 and 2019 with more tours across Europe and the recording of their second album, *Swanaad*, which was released in May 2020. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and travel restrictions, the ensemble remained creatively active. Supported by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes grant “Reloaded,” they collaborated with creative coder Nicola Pisanti and visual designer Antonio Pipolo to develop innovative online software that enabled real-time musical collaboration. This digital project featured guest artists like MD Pallavi (vocals), Turkish violinist Güldeste Mamac, and guitarist Ephraim Giepen.

Recent Highlights:

In summer 2022, the ensemble was finally able to reunite for in-person performances in Germany and Switzerland. This marked the return of their live concerts after nearly three years apart. In February 2023, NeckarGanga embarked on a highly successful tour in India, supported by the German Embassy, where they captivated audiences with their transcendent musical fusion.

The momentum continued with a 2023 summer tour through Germany, followed by intense preparation for their next creative project. In 2024, the ensemble recorded four new compositions, accompanied by music videos that beautifully capture their evolving sound. Two of these videos feature guest violinist Güldeste Mamac, adding a new layer to the ensemble’s musical tapestry. You can check out the videos here

New Member and Future Plans:

In 2024, NeckarGanga welcomed a new member, guitarist Ephraim Giepen, whose versatile playing brings fresh energy to the ensemble. As they look ahead, they are planning a special 10th anniversary tour, set for June 2025, which will take the ensemble to Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.

Looking Ahead:

As NeckarGanga approaches a decade of musical exploration, the ensemble continues to push boundaries, blending tradition and innovation, and connecting audiences across the globe. With their upcoming tours and new creative projects on the horizon, the ensemble remains committed to building bridges through music.

Peter Hinz is a percussionist and composer born in 1983 in Genoa, Italy. He studied jazz and popular music at the State University of Music and Performing Arts Mannheim. His music is deeply influenced by his travels to countries like Brazil, India, Tunisia, and Turkey. Hinz collaborates with various ensembles, including the Abstrakt Orchester, Camie, Balla Balla and NeckarGanga. Known for his work in theater productions, he combines diverse cultural rhythms and styles, creating a unique fusion of sounds in his performances

Shyam Rastogi is a Sitar and Surbahar player (north Indian classical string instruments), composer and graded artist from “All India Radio”, worked in “National School of Drama”, New Delhi as sitar artist and composer, then he worked in utkal University of culture bhubaneswar, odisha as assistant professor in sitar presently he is working in Raja mansingh tomar music and arts University gwalior as assistant professor in sitar.Dr. Rastogi has been received awards form national level organizations. He worked with many eminent theatre directors as composer and music director. He is also band member in the international fusion band NeckarGanga. Dr. Rastogi has performed on many national and international stages and music festivals.

Sandip Rao Kewale (born 1982 in Varanasi) is a indian Tabla player from a family of musicians. Since his childhood he learned tabla with his father Keshava Rao Nayak. He studied music at the „Banaras Hindu University“. Since 2015 he is member of the group „NeckarGanga“ and playing concert tours in India and Europe. Achievments and awards: National Youth Festival Gold Medal in solo Performance of Tabla, Manipur-2004. Gold Medal Prayag Sangeen Samiti Competition Allahabad, 2005. Baiju Bawara Musical Honour-2010First Prize in Inter University Youth Festival, ‘Spandan’, Varanasi-2010

Keshava Rao Nayak (born 1955 in Varanasi, India) is an international performing Tabla player and teacher in the Banaras Gharana (style and heritage of Varanasi). In 1980 he founded the „International Music Center Ashram“ – a school for Indian Classical Music. Since his performance in 1984 in Luknow he is the only Tabla player who played 85 hours continuously. He also played several concert tours with different projects in the 1980s in Germany and Scandinavia. Since 2015 he is again touring internationally with NeckarGanga.

Jonathan Sell is a bass player who is active in a wide range of styles,including Jazz, Rock and Blues as well as Arabic Maqam and Indian Raga.His idea of his role as a bassist, as a connector and supporter, goes beyond its musical meaning: His transcultural projects have worked together for many years and value friendship and creating an artistic vision together above all else. He also works as a composer, lecturer and teacher at Popakademie BW & Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz / Ensemble Colourage.

Steffen Dix (born in 1981 in Ulm, Germany) studied jazz saxophone, clarinet and flute at “State Conservatory of Music” in Stuttgart (Ger) and Vienna (A). He graduated summa cum laude in 2009. Since then he is working as a freelance musician and composer in several projects combining jazz, world music, electronic music and visual arts. Awards: “Young Lions Jazz Award 2009”, “Creole award for global music in germany” 2014 with his Brass Band “Volxtanz”, “Dieter Seelow Jazzfond Prize” 2016 for his work with cross-cultural group “NeckarGanga”!

Ephraim Giepen is a versatile guitarist with a background in jazz and popular music. After completing his bachelor’s degree at the State University of Music and Performing Arts Mannheim, he pursued a freelance career that led him through various genres, including electronica, funk/soul, hip hop, jazz, and world music. Ephraim has collaborated with several renowned artists, such as DJ Friction, Torch, and Toni L. In recent years, he has also established himself as a solo artist, producing both singles and albums that showcase his love for electronica, experimental music, and sampling. His work has been supported by prestigious institutions such as Musikfonds/Neustart Kultur and the Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg. Ephraim is known for his creative approach to music production and his ability to interweave diverse soundscapes. He recently became a part of the NeckarGanga ensemble.