American Raga Band

  • Todd Mosby

    IMRAT GUITAR - Member Imdad Khani Gharana.

  • SEEMA KASTHURI

    VOCALS - Director, teacher Soorys Arts.

  • Guru Prasana Kasthuri

    Mridangham - Kathak Guru and Director Soorya Dance Performing Arts.

DESCRIPTION

American Raga Band artfully blend the rich traditions of Indian classical music with the spontaneity of jazz improvisation, creating a unique and engaging musical experience. The ensemble delves into the intricate nuances of Indian ragas and rhythms, crafting sounds that captivate and intrigue audiences.

Their repertoire features a diverse mix, including traditional chants, dynamic solfège renditions in various ragas, and subtle influences reminiscent of Norah Jones' soulful touch.

Adding to their versatility, the band brings fresh interpretations to beloved classics from The Beatles and Bollywood, infusing each piece with a distinctive creative energy.

Seema Kasthuri and her band featuring Todd Mosby on Imrat Guitar, Premik Russel Tubbs on flute and Prasanna Kasthuri on Indian percussions continue to push musical boundaries, offering performances that resonate with both authenticity and innovation.

LINE UP
Seema Kasthuri - Lead Vocalist, Composer
Todd Mosby - Composer, Electric and Acoustic Imrat 18 string Guitar / 6 string guitar
Prasanna Kasthuri - mridangham, Indian percussion

ADDITIONAL LINE UPS:
Steve Davis - drums
Ben Coan - bass
Premik R Tubbs - woodwinds
Additional: keyboards, violin, backup singers

MUSIC GENRE

Contemporary World

Contemporary Jazz

SOUNDS LIKE

Shakti, Imrat Khan, John McLaughlin, A.R.Rahman

PRTIAL LIST: AMERICAN RAGA BAND PERFORMANCES

GOLDEN EVENT: KIRKWOOD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
April 2025

GLOBAL MUSIC NIGHT
Jan 2025

FESTIVAL OF NATONS MAINSTAGE
August 2025

APAR EVENT - FESTIVAL OF NATIONS
DARK ROOM
Jan 2025

APAP SHOWCASE NYC
Jan 2025

SEEMA KASTHURI:
Seema Kasthuri is a world music practitioner, performer, and educator based in St. Louis, with over two decades of active contribution to the music field as a vocalist, teacher, collaborator, and bandleader.
Trained from age 10 in Carnatic music, one of India’s most technically demanding classical traditions, she studied under esteemed gurus including Vid Venkatesh, Sri Chintalapalli Ramesh and pursued advanced Manodharma (improvisational raga exploration) under Prof Nagamani Srinath, and Madurai Balasubramayam. She also trained in Hindustani music under Ustad Imrat Khan.

TODD MOSBY:
Encompassing elements from jazz, raag, classical, folk rock and bluegrass into his sound, Mosby has created his own musical syntax. The result is a distinct style unique to Mosby’s sense of composition, transcending known genres of music.
His dedicated 13 year study of classical North Indian music with Ustadt Imrat Khan led a very different guitar technique and the development of acoustic and electric versions of the Imrat guitar, an 18 stringed hybrid sitar-guitar bridge instrument for crossing musical platforms and cultures. 

ABOUT

Funding
Missouri Arts Council Touring Performer

  • Six state presenter funding available thru MAAA (NE, KS, OK, TX, AR, MO) up to 50% artist fees.

  • Missouri presenter funding available thru MAC for concert presentation.