Meet Jacob Charkey | Cellist, raga musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob Charkey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacob, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For a large part of my life and career I’ve disregarded risk. I left the possibility of a decent career as an orchestral musician for the totally unknown prospect of pursuing Indian music on an instrument that was virtually unknown in that tradition. I chose to go live in Mumbai, and when my fellowship ended I chose to stay on, without a clear path to a career there. I almost always have lead with my interest, dreams, and ambitions and let the chips fall where they may. Usually this works out, and the rewards are great as far as my satisfaction with my life and career, however this approach has sometimes required a willingness to be uncomfortable. In general, I’d say a willingness to embrace sometimes extreme discomfort has allowed tremendous opportunities for growth.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m one of the very few cellists in the world who performs Indian classical music. I grew up in Brattleboro Vermont, in a musical and artistic family, began playing at the age of 6, and continued my studies through music conservatory at Rice University, very much immersed in the grand tradition of Western classical music. While at Rice, I was fortunate to hear the great sarod player, Ali Akhbar Khan, and fell in love with the sound of Indian music. It took me several years before I began my studies, but eventually was set on my path by Aruna Kalle, an extraordinary sarangi player in Toronto, who insisted I learn the music on the cello rather than begin anew on an Indian instrument. I continued my studies in Los Angeles with Jagan Ramamurthy, and then finished an MFA at CalArts in Hindustani Music. Later I received a grant to go learn from Padmabushan Dr. N Rajam, one of the greatest living musicians in India, a legend of the Indian violin. I spent 2 years by her side, and then as the fellowship ended, I began to get work as a session musician in the Bollywood film industry. I continued living in Mumbai for another 4 years after that and continue to work for the films, but now, living in Brooklyn, my career is more varied. I perform Indian classical music as well as new music composed for me and my own music. I teach other cellists and musicians how to play this music, and, surrounded by a rich and varied music scene here in NYC, play many kinds of music depending on who calls me.

This path has certainly not been easy, although it has been rewarding. One of the great challenges of learning more than one tradition is to break free of compartmentalization and move towards unity of expression. It has taken years to learn these musical languages in their traditional form, it is an ongoing process to integrate them. Coming back to the USA has helped me in this, as I am pushed to perform many kinds of music but also present programs that embrace all of the places I come from.

Right now I’m super excited to be working on my first album, Rasika: Beyond the Bounded Territories, which will release in 2023. This will include some of the first music ever composed for the Indian cello, 9 commissioned works, my own music, and traditional renditions of Indian classical music. It represents a major step for me in integrating the musical languages that I practice.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We talking New York or LA?

either way it’s all about the food.

In NYC I’d get roti and jerk chicken in my neighbourhood (Flatbush!)
Dosa at Ganesh temple canteen in Queens
Fancy Contemporary Peruvian food at Llama Inn in W’burg
Live music at the Owl Music Parlor, also in my ‘hood
Walks in Prospect Park
Live music at Barbès
Fancy Spanish food at la Vara

Favorite LA spots:
popup street tacos, also Guisado’s
Mariachi Plaza on a weekend
Suehiro’s for homestyle japanese food
Watt’s towers!
Getty Museum, it’s stunning every time.
RedCat to hear something to talk about
Definitely hook up some Cuban breakfast treats and cafe con leche at Gigi’s Cuban Cafe
take a hike in Griffith Park
Ethiopian food at Merkato (the fried fish!)
Leimert park on a Sunday
K-town (there’s too many delicious things here, so I’m just gonna leave it at that)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are several, starting with my teachers- Dr. N. Rajam, Pt. Jagan Ramamurthy, Smt. Aruna Kalle, Norman Fischer, Paul Cohen, and Zon Eastes.

And always my main squeeze and unconditional supporter, who believes in me even when I don’t, my wife, Veronica Simas de Souza Rosas.

Website: www.jakecharkey.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakecharkey/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-charkey-2042105b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jake.charkey/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKDWyRxE90cYwJkQAtEYjCA

Image Credits
Sahil Mane Photography Veronica Simas de Souza Rosas