Tuvan music trio Alash returns to New Haven. Named after a river that runs through the tiny republic of Tuva, bordering Mongolia, this ensemble performs the traditional music from the region, filled with distinctive drones, extreme high- and low-end pitches coupled in surprising fashion.
Alash performs throat singing, which involves generating more than once distinct pitch from a single singer at one time. It’s haunting and otherworldly. Having studied traditional Tuvan music since they were boys, the members of Alash are masters now.
Tuvan music can present surprising points of connection to American listeners familiar with raw country blues and other folk styles. It’s not hard to hear a link between this music and singers like Blind Willie Johnson and Howlin’ Wolf. At the same time, avant-gardists interested in the ways that musicians approach sonic extremes find much to admire in the scrape and whir of Tuvan music.
Though the group has played Cafe Nine before, hearing Alash up close will be a rare thrill. See Alash at Cafe Nine, 250 State St., New Haven, on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $25. 203-789-8281 or cafenine.com