DESCRIPTION:
Clinton Cerejo performs "Chaddh De" with the Berklee Indian Ensemble at the Berklee Performance Center.

Clinton Cerejo is one of the most well-known names in the Indian music industry today. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, a highly sought after vocalist and vocal arranger in the booming Indian advertising and film industry, and a gifted, experienced composer, Clinton has mastered the art of merging Western theoretical and harmonic concepts with Indian classical and folk music. It is not uncommon for Clinton's compositions, jingles or arrangements to go viral - the latest being the Google India Reunion ad-film which crossed 10 million hits in 3 weeks.

In November 2013, the Berklee Indian Ensemble got an opportunity to record their version of Clinton Cerejo's acclaimed composition, "Chaddh De" when he visited Berklee College of Music for a week-long artist residency, and a collaborative concert titled "Shuruaat" (meaning, 'beginning') at the Berklee Performance Center.

Founded in 2011 by Indian Berklee alum and current faculty member, Annette Philip, The Berklee Indian Ensemble is now home to musicians from 34 countries, making it one of the largest and most diverse ensembles at the college.

From a Carnatic Thillana or a high adrenaline Konnakol conversation, to Indo-jazz experiments or a Quwali, the ensemble performs an expansive repertoire, with the ultimate goal of presenting concerts entirely consisting of original student compositions.

The residency with Clinton Cerejo was put together under India Exchange, a new initiative co-founded by Annette Philip (music director and executive producer) and Clint Valladares (artist relations and strategy), as a platform for cultural conversation, through the composition, collaboration, and performance of original Indian music.

"Chaddh De" (Clinton Cerejo, lyrics by Manoj Yadav)

Clinton Cerejo: lead vocals
Rohith Jayaraman: lead vocals
Harini Srinivasa Raghavan: lead vocals
Armeen Musa: lead vocals

Shubh Saran: guitar
Annette Philip: piano, vocal arrangements
Layth Al-Rubaye Sidiq: violin
Nate Jakes: bass
Kaushlesh Purohit: tabla
Negah Santos: percussion
Ranajoy Das: drums

Lydian Almaguer: vocals
Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: vocals
Ava Dudani: vocals
Dhruv Goel: vocals
Rohith Jayaraman: vocals
Noemie Legrand: vocals
Armeen Musa: vocals
Salil Sanjaykumar Bhayani: vocals
Richa Saran: vocals
Gretchen Schadebrodt: vocals
Kenan Serenbetz: vocals
Ashwin Shenoy: vocals
Sahana Simha: vocals
Harini Srinivasa Raghavan: vocals
Sanchitha Wickremesooriya: vocals

Berklee Indian Ensemble directed by Annette Philip

Clinton Cerejo recorded at The Record Company, Boston
Simon Katz: recording engineer

Berklee Indian Ensemble recorded at Q Division Studios, Somerville
Matthew Beaudoin: recording engineer

Simon Katz: mixing engineer

The Groove Room, Mumbai, India
Devang Rachh: final mixing and mastering

Filmed by 21summit Productions
Joe Barnard: videographer, editor
Emir Cerman: videographer