Raagaverse + Strings

Vancouver Independent Music Centre Society and the Raagaverse Cultural Society present Raagaverse + Strings Shruti Ramani, vocals | Noah Franche-Nolan, piano | James Meger, bass | Trent Otter, drums Meredith Bates, violin | Joshua Zubot, violin | Parmela Attariwala, viola | Marina Hasselberg, cello Thursday, October 15, 2026 7:30 pm, box office/ lobby opens at 6:30 pm; theatre opens at 7 pm The Annex, 823 Seymour Tickets in advance at Showpass Raagaverse + Strings reimagines the music of Raagaverse through the rich and expressive sound world of string quartet. Raagaverse has long been inspired by the depth, warmth, and cinematic possibilities that strings bring, expanding the palette of its music while deepening the dialogue between Hindustani classical traditions, jazz harmony, and improvisation. The inspiration for this project began with Naina featured on Raagaverse’s debut album Jaya, where Western cinematic strings composition combined with Hindustani melodic language and jazz quartet textures to reveal a compelling new direction for the ensemble. That experience showed how naturally these musical worlds could come together and sparked the vision for a full-length strings project. The program will feature newly imagined arrangements of some of the defining works from Jaya, alongside brand-new compositions that will be part of an upcoming second release. All of the string arrangements and new works are being created collaboratively by Noah and Shruti, building on the musical language developed as they explore new sonic possibilities for Raagaverse. 2025 Juno Nominee for Best Jazz Album of the Year (Group), Raagaverse, led by vocalist Shruti Ramani, is a creative Indo-Jazz fusion band that pays homage to the two deeply historical and culturally-significant genres: classical Hindustani music and Jazz. Shruti brings her expertise in Hindustani music together with the quartet’s appreciation, knowledge, affinity and experience of the Jazz and other musical artforms. Raagaverse retains the authenticity of both traditions, melding them seamlessly into one cohesive sound that is both dynamic and explosive with immense respect, depth and beauty. Shruti’s musical fluency originates from her rigorous Hindustani training and degree under Dr. Ritu Johri in Mumbai, India, and her studies leading to a degree in Jazz from Capilano University. Her original compositions use melodies ornamented with traditional Hindustani nuances, with underlying modern Jazz harmonies and rhythms. Raagaverse Cultural Society is a non-profit organization registered in the Province of BC in 2023 with the mandate to support the creation and production of innovative music, poetry, and art that brings together different cultures, styles and expressions. The Society will support musical endeavors that empower BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ and other marginalized communities to create and express their experience, ideas and vision. It will curate and present events and workshops that immerse Canadian audiences in diverse musical traditions from around the world. raagaverse.com Founded in 2011, Vancouver Independent Music Centre Society (VIM) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to developing an accessible, sustainable, and culturally diverse music centre in Vancouver. Its vision is shaped by extensive community consultation and ongoing support for local music ecosystems. vimhouse.ca Raagaverse + Strings takes place on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. Raagaverse Cultural Society and the Vancouver Independent Music Society gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia; the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Civic Theatres; Canadian Heritage; the JTC Heersink Foundation; and the Canada Council for the Arts through DKAM for presentation of this special event.