Autorickshaw

“…When their forces are combined, the results are utterly unique and musically pioneering” The Record

Autorickshaw’s music lies on the cultural cutting edge, as pop, jazz, funk and folk easily rub shoulders with the music of India. Formed in 2003, Autorickshaw is one of the most intriguing acts on the world music and jazz landscapes, garnering 2004, 2007 and 2017 JUNO nominations for World Music Album of the Year, the John Lennon Songwriting Competition Grand Prize in World Music and numerous other national and international awards. 

Their sound showcases the sultry, sophisticated vocals of Suba Sankaran, anchored by the melodic bass-lines & beatboxing of Dylan Bell over a bed of intricate Indian percussion by Ed Hanley. The group’s diverse repertoire and range of Eastern and Western elements could only come from musicians with deep roots in both traditions. 

Autorickshaw has toured extensively across Canada, the US, Europe, the UK, Nepal and several tours to India. They have received numerous grants for their efforts over their 19-year history though the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts, among others. 

Widely covered within Canada, Autorickshaw has also been featured in international media, including BBC Radio, NPR’s Weekend America, Global Rhythm Magazine and All About Jazz (USA); World Music Magazine (Italy), fRoots (UK), Rave Magazine and The Hindu (India); Deutschland Radio Kultur (Germany) as well as appearing on the European World Music Charts. 

Autorickshaw is committed to their role as music educators through school performances, lecture demonstrations, workshops and masterclasses on topics as diverse as jazz improvisation, south Indian and western vocal/choral technique as well as percussion from around the world. Autorickshaw has conducted workshops for Jazz FM91, Branksome Hall and others, and they have created numerous prerecorded performances for educational institutes, online festivals and more. 

Autorickshaw features: 
Suba Sankaran - voice 
Ed Hanley - tabla, voice 
Dylan Bell - electric bass, beatboxing, voice