Jyoshna La Trobe and The Chalumeau Ensemble

Jyoshna & the Chalumeau Ensemble — Festival Bio

Jyoshna & the Chalumeau Ensemble is a Clare based group bringing together vocalist ethnomusicologist Dr. Jyoshna La Trobe, clarinetist Lucy Thomas, pianist composer Erik Azzopardi, drummer percussionist Yam Aquino, Indian khol drummer Kavita Neumannová, and bassist Adam Rowat. Their music moves between contemporary composition, soft jazz, and the ecstatic energy of mantra music integrating voice, instrumentals and movement, in an original approach to sound. The result is an immersive, spacious and emotionally resonant performance experience, offering a contemporary evolution of intercultural sacred music traditions.

Artistic Lineage and Ensemble Members

Dr. Jyoshna La Trobe contributes over three decades of cross cultural musical practice, with more than 30 albums spanning singer songwriter, indigenous and devotional and traditions. Her international collaborations and recognised research on the Rarhi kiirtan “praise music” tradition of West Bengal forms a core creative influence within the ensemble.

Lucy Thomas brings a refined classical and jazz sensibility shaped by studies at Chetham’s, Trinity College of Music and the New York Jazz Academy, alongside extensive international teaching and performance experience.

Erik Azzopardi adds a versatile musical voice informed by classical training, jazz, ballet accompaniment, composition and international recital work, supporting the ensemble’s fluid movement between structured composition and improvisation.

Originally from Manila, Yam Aquino contributes a global rhythmic perspective performing across Asian and European countries. Holding First Class Honours in Creative Music Performance, he brings technical precision and stylistic breadth across jazz, contemporary and ensemble settings.

Kavita Neumannová offers a rare and culturally significant dimension to the ensemble’s sound. She is the only Western woman to study the traditional khol drum patterns of Rarh, India training intensively under master drummer Sri Jagaran Mahato of West Bengal. She has performed internationally with Jyoshna across multiple countries. Her presence deepens the ensemble’s connection to the living Rarhi tradition while expanding its contemporary expression.