The Toronto Star’s Ashante Infantry describes JUNO-winningsaxophonist/flutistand vocalist Sundar’s voice on his critically-acclaimed Sundar Quartet CD ‘What a Dream I Had’ as “a cross between Kurt Elling andChet Baker”. The band presents imaginative arrangements and interpretations of vocal jazz standards, bossa novas and popular tunes, and features Dave Restivo (pno) or Adrean Farrugia (pno), Larnell Lewis (drums)and George Koller (bass). Sundar has been simultaneously developing a vocal project with guitarist Roy Patterson that emphasizes the music of Jobim and Duke Ellington, two master composers and musicians who have been a major influence on Sundar’s writing and playing style. This group also features Dan Fortin(bass) and Ethan Ardelli (drums).
Sundar has performed with the Sundar Quartet and as a solo artist nationally (Medicine Hat Jazz Festival, Sudbury Jazz Festival, Homesmith Bar, Rex Hotel, Beat Niq (Calgary),Festivoix (Trios Rivieres), CBC ‘Sounds of the Season’, Trane Studio, Lula Lounge, Burdock, etc.) and internationally(Japan (12-concert tour), South Africa (UKZN concert series), NYC (the Garage, Ida Mae, Smalls, St. Nick’s Pub), the Deerhead Inn (Pennsylvania), Boston (Ryles, Middle East,Willow, Wally’s)).‘Worldview’, Sundar’s most recent CD with his world-jazz ensemble Avataar, won the 2022 JUNO Award for Best Jazz Album of the Year (Group).
As an instrumentalist and vocalist, Sundar has performed extensively in Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, South Africa, Japan and the USA. Musical associations have included Wynton Marsalis, Avataar, Kenny Wheeler, Jaffa Road, Kiran Ahluwalia, Sun Ra, Rez Abbasi, Luciana Souza, John Abercrombie, Terry Clarke, George Cables, Joe Lovano, John Hicks, Cecil McBee, Dave Holland, Billy Hart, Darius Brubeck, and Jim McNeely.
Sundar’s music hasbeen showcased on CBC Radio, CIUT,JAZZ FM,CKLN, KayaFM (South Africa), Radio Bombay, CITY TV, CKUA, WBAI (New York), CFRU, KZYX(Mendocino County, California) and others. He also has been commissioned to compose and perform with Dance companies in Canada and the USA, including Sampradaya Dance Creations, Arzoo Dance Theater, MOSAIC and Trilok Fusion. Sundar’s work can be seen and heard at www.sundarmusic.com