• Check out
    your Soundroom
Kalyan Pathak
Photo by Ryan Bennett

Kalyan Pathak

About

Paiste Artist Since
December 2010

Nationality
United States

Other Affiliations
Tributosaurus
Corky Siegel
Shankar Ehsaan Loy

Follow Artist

Setup

Kalyan Pathak

Cymbals listed from left to right

14" 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hat
16" Signature Fast Crash
8" 2002 Cup Chime
20" 2002 Medium
22" Twenty Light Ride (discontinued)
20" Signature Flat Ride (discontinued)
7 1/2" 2002 Cup Chime

Biography

“Fleet Finger Virtuosity” says Chicago Tribune Critic, Howard Reich for Kalyan Pathak “Signature Brand of Percussion Magic” Downbeat Magazine Kalyan Pathak is one of the most sought-after tabla, drumset and multi-ethnic percussionists in the USA. With a career spanning diverse genres and international stages, Pathak's musical journey is a testament to his unparalleled talent and versatility. From performing alongside icons like Aretha Franklin and jazz organist Dr. Lonnie Smith to being a vital part of esteemed ensembles like the Aretha Franklin Orchestra, invited to perform at the Aretha Franklin Memorial as an RnB percussionist in August 2018, Pathak's impact on the global music scene is significant. Memorable performances include showcases at renowned venues such as the High Sierra Music Festival in California, the Noche Primavera Festival in Mexico City, the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL, and the Pritzker Pavilion at the Chicago Jazz Festival. Pathak's musical accomplishments extend beyond performances. He has been a soloist with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Ballet, toured in Israel with Alberto Mizrahi and Peter Yarrow under the musical direction of Howard Levy, and collaborated with artists like Fareed Haque, Howard Levy, and Greg Spero for over 2 decades. A recipient of a scholarship to the Chicago Musical College, Pathak earned his bachelor's degree in jazz studies with Summa cum laude honors and was named to the National Dean's List in 1996. Known for his dynamic stage presence and proficiency across drumset, tabla, and world percussion, Pathak captivates audiences with his rhythmic innovation and improvisational skill. Continuing to explore new artistic horizons, Pathak has composed for the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic's "Immigrant Stories" and recorded with his ensemble "Jazz Mata." He has also collaborated with the Chicago Silk Road Project, Fulcrum Point New Music, and Bollywood film composers Shankar Ehsaan Loy, showcasing his adaptability and inventive arranging style. Currently, Pathak tours with blues harmonica and piano legend Corky Siegel, leading Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues to new heights. As a longstanding member of the Tributosaurus band since 2002, Pathak's meticulous attention to detail and virtuosic command of a variety of percussion instruments have solidified his reputation as a true master of his craft. Pathak's dedication to his artistry is further exemplified through his role as an Artist Endorsee for Tycoon Percussion, Paiste Cymbals, and MalletKat. Whether gracing the stage or captivating audiences through recordings, Pathak's musical prowess continues to inspire and resonate, leaving an indelible mark on the world of percussion and beyond. Kalyan Pathak is a composer, musician, drummer and a percussion player of a multi cultural experience covering a very vast base. “Fleet Finger Virtuosity” says Chicago Tribune Critic, Howard Reich for Kalyan Pathak Born in Ahmedabad, India, formally trained, from his age 9 till age 15, in Classical North Indian Tabla by Ustad Kader Khan and Ustad Rehman Khan, later an apprenticeship with the most prominent drummer and composer Mr. Ranjit Barot, brought teenaged Kalyan to Bombay in the mid 80’s . While devoting himself to western drumset, Kalyan concurrently did regular session work with prestigious Lakshmikant Pyarelal Orchestra and Louis Banks Band, and toured all over India playing with jazz and rock music bands. Kalyan came to Chicago in 1991 on a full scholarship from Roosevelt University, and in addition to receiving a B.Mus. degree in Jazz studies with honors, he went on to study African, Afro-cuban, Latin and Middle Eastern genres of percussion from various masters in the US. Since moving to the U.S., Kalyan has become one of the busiest virtuoso tabla and multi-ethnic percussionists in the country, and has performed, collaborated and toured with many international artists from jazz, classical and jamband music scenes, such as, Aretha Franklin, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, as a soloist with Elgin Symphony Orchestra and San Francisco Ballet, collaborative group member with Fareed Haque Group, Howard Levy, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Pacifica String Quartet, Theodore Bikel, Alberto Mizrahi, Steve Kimock and many others. Kalyan’s abundant energy and innovative concepts have resulted in numerous collaborations and recording projects, where he can be heard playing tabla, drumset, percussion and singing. Recent projects include, tour of Israel with Howard Levy and GATC, recordings with his own group “Jazz Mata”, composing and performing jazz big band composition for Holiday Music of Silk Road for Midwest Young Artists and Chicago Silk Road Project, musical score for Contemporary American Theater Festival, many national tours with the Fareed Haque Group, and tours of Germany, Switzerland and Brazil on various musical projects. Kalyan is a lifelong educator having done clinics and classes in India, U.S.A, Europe, and Brazil, as well as in Chicago with International Music Foundation he has performed educational shows for over 100,000 Chicago public school students, is a faculty at Merit School of Music, Chicago, as well as, a Paiste Cymbals Artist Endorsee.

Setup Cymbals

Signature Fast Crash

2002 Medium

2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hat

2002 Cup Chime
  • Details

    Sizes: 5 1/2", 5 pc Set, 5", 6 1/2", 6", 7 1/2", 7 pc Set, 7", 8"
    Volume: Soft
    Weight: Medium

    Sound character: Bright, warm, full, brilliant. Wide range, clean mix. Soft, extremely responsive. Explosive, shattering, glassy attack with modulating warm, full, long fade. Features an exotic, very dominant center tone with lively, flanging over- and undertones. Available individually or as sets on hardware mountable 5 and 7 arm holders. Well suited for upside down mounting over a ride bell.

  • Sounds