Four world-class musicians. A moving exploration of South Asian classical music through the medium of free improvisation. No boundaries – no limits. 

For the first time ever, zerOclassikal brings its celebrated concept, Free Flow Classikal, to the heart of Newcastle as part of GemArts Masala Festival, with an electrifying line-up. zerOclassikal's Artistic Director, Jonathan Mayer, leads with electric sitar, joined by James Pusey on guitar, Robin Christian on bansuri, and Debasish Mukherjee on tabla percussion. 

Presented by GemArts and Jazz North East. 


​About Masala Festival

GemArts' award-winning Masala Festival returns from 13th – 19th July for its 10th anniversary, bringing a vibrant mix and blend of the finest South Asian arts and culture to the North East. Enjoy an incredible programme of performances, exhibitions, events, workshops, talks, pop-ups, and of course, delicious Indian food in venues, places and spaces across the region. Don't miss this special milestone year! 

For the full Masala Festival 2026 programme, visit www.gemarts.org/whatson


About the artists

Jonathan Mayer, son of the late Kolkata composer John Mayer, is a renowned sitarist and composer. He has composed extensively for many genres including jazz, Indian, dance and symphonic writing, and has performed all over the world, including two very successful tours in India. He began his musical training at just 5 years old, learning violin from his grandfather Albert Hepton, piano from James Methuen-Campbell and composition from his father, and later mastered the sitar. His ability to read Western notation has allowed him to perform in a variety of genres – playing with artists such as Orlando Consort, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra, among other notable names. He is also the Artistic Director of zerOclassikal. 

Robin Christian is a music composer and flautist, who plays and directs almost every form of music, which ranges from folk, devotional, soul and classical in both eastern and western fields. With his recognised talent, he has been asked to perform with various well-known artists including leading playback singers like Kavita Krishnamurti, Alka Yagnik, Maha Laxmi, K. S. Chitra, Salim Merchant, Bappi Lahiri, Anuradha Paudwal and Shaan, and the famous Gujarati singer Praful Dave, Karshan Sagathia and many more. He has performed with zerOclassikal at the sold-out Mehfil-e-Rose Hill at Brighton Festival. 

James Pusey is a UK-based guitarist who also works as an online session guitarist doing recording sessions from his studio in London, and boasts extensive experience in both Western music and Indian music/sitar. He has performed at notable venues like the Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Apollo and o2 London, and has played and recorded around the world with a large number of artists like Omar, G4, Michael Bolton, and Paloma Faith, among others. 

Debasish Mukherjee is one of India's most renowned tabla players, known for his versatility, and hailing from a family of tabla and music traditions. Debasish has performed at many prestigious festivals throughout India and abroad. He has developed his own style, which is unique and highly praised everywhere by accompanying musicians as well as listeners. Debasish believes that tabla is not just a percussion instrument but a musical instrument, which has melody as well as rhythm. He has performed with great artists like legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj, Pandit V. G. Jog, Ustad Bahadur Khan, Pandit Rajan Mishra and Shajan Mishra. Debasish regularly performs with Amina Khayyam Dance Company, and has performed with zerOclassikal at Brighton Festival. 
 

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