George Brooks

George Brooks, a saxophonist known for his eclectic approach that blends jazz fusion with Indian classical traditions, was born in New York City. He received instruction from saxophonist Frank Foster and later obtained his Bachelor of Music degree at the New England Conservatory of Music. During the 1980s, his fascination with Indian classical music prompted multiple trips to India, where he trained under the renowned Hindustani vocalist and teacher Pandit Pran Nath. This pursuit connected him to minimalist composer Terry Riley, and together they established the experimental Khayal ensemble. His first album, Lasting Impression, appeared in 1996 and showcased virtuoso tabla player Zakir Hussain. The pair subsequently issued Night Spinner in 1998. In 2000, Brooks collaborated with guitarist Larry Coryell and flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia on Music Without Boundaries. He maintained his partnership with Hussain across multiple releases, notably Summit from 2002 and Summit: Spirit and Spice in 2010. That same year saw the release of Raga Bop Trio, which included guitarist Prasanna and drummer Steve Smith. Brooks followed up in 2011 with the trio recording Elements, joined by Indian violinist Kala Ramnath and Dutch harpist Gwyneth Wentink.