1PM – The Language of Peace presented by The Rothko Chapel

East/West Improvisational Music

Time: 1PM (1 hour)

Location: 3900 Yupon

Classical Indian vocalist Nanda Banerjee, cellist Max Dyer, and keyboardist/composer John Hardesty form The Language of Peace. Together they create a profoundly beautiful East/West improvisational music.  Nanda Banerjee is an Indian classical vocalist in the North Indian style who has performed with many famous musicians in India, the US and internationally and has recorded with world-renowned classical tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain.  Her last Houston performance was listed in the Houston Chronicle’s Top 10 Best Concerts of the Year.  “Raga music, the music I sing, is truly meditative and spiritual in nature and based on improvisations. My desire is always to create an atmosphere of peace for the audience. Music is prayer to me.”  In addition to performing with the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera, Max Dyer enjoys playing his cello in churches, clubs and renaissance festivals.  An improvising cellist, Max has recorded on projects for scores of major and independent labels.  For almost a decade he lived in Great Britain where he was involved with the renewal of the Church and held creative music seminars at St Johns College Oxford and Kings College, Cambridge.  He holds a Masters Degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.  “Intuitive music-making can open the way to a deep ecumenism that bridges cultures.”  John Hardesty is a native Texan whose music is drawn from a combination of classical, religious, and New Age sounds.  His first love is creating music in the moment, and he does this with a variety of other musicians and singers.  His instrumental works are the culmination of years of performing “with the intention of reaching into hearts and healing whatever wounds remain in our consciousness.”  Mr. Hardesty’s music is universal in nature, carrying a message of both personal and world peace and love.