Dhaivat Jani PLUS
Dhaivat Jani PLUS is a contemporary jazz ensemble that I am proud to lead. As a drummer, tabla player, and composer, I draw on my deep training in Indian classical music and my passion for jazz to craft a sound that is bold, dynamic, and rooted in my unique musical journey.
This project is deeply personal to me. It reflects my experiences growing up in India and forging my path as an immigrant musician in North America. Our compositions delve into themes of life, identity, and the state of the world, weaving meaningful stories into our music that I hope resonate with listeners on many levels.
In 2023, we released our debut album, Sum // Parts, and I’m honored by the critical acclaim it has received from All About Jazz, Paris Move, and Jazz.FM91.
Since forming in early 2020, Dhaivat Jani PLUS has performed at notable festivals such as the Markham Jazz Festival and the Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival, where we were recognized as "Artist of the Year." We’ve also appeared in Rich Brown’s jazz series at BSMT254 and played at some of Toronto’s most iconic venues, including The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar, Jazz Bistro, and DROM Taberna.
This ensemble represents my vision of blending Indian classical music with contemporary jazz, pushing creative boundaries, and connecting deeply with audiences through a global and forward-thinking approach to music.
Sum // Parts is streaming worldwide
“Sum//Parts is a journey into new explorations, a form of play, poetry, and storytelling
that creates artistic innovation. Dhaivat Jani opens doors for us, and we eagerly enter,
as everything is designed to make us feel comfortable. Here, blending genres is the
norm. If you love jazz, travels, and new experiences, you will succumb to the charm of
this album, which naturally earns its place among the “Essentials".”
★★★★★
Thierry De Clemensat – Paris Move
“The album is nicely arranged and produced, with the disparate influences and styles combined into a cohesive and compelling statement.”
★★★1/2
Dan McClenaghan – All About Jazz
“An excellent albeit challenging release with innovative music from a slightly different musical sphere than those we normally know.”
Niels Christensen - Jazz Special