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 Nitin Sawhney CBE

World-class musician Nitin Sawhney to star in ‘Creative Dialogues’ event

One of the most important musicians of his generation will give a fascinating new insight into his influential and innovative work, during a special event at the University of Exeter.

Ivor Novello award-winner Nitin Sawhney CBE will be the star attraction at the forthcoming ‘Creative Dialogues’ event at the University, on March 3rd.

During the event the producer, songwriter, DJ, multi-instrumentalist, orchestral composer and cultural pioneer will discuss his culturally iconic work, from collaborations with Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck and Nelson Mandela to creating the score for the BBC’s epic Human Planet series.

The free event, held at the University’s Streatham Campus, will be hosted by film director, producer, screenwriter and novelist Don Boyd, who is also an Honorary Professor in Film Practice.

Professor Will Higbee, organiser of the Creative Dialogues events, said: “Nitin Sawhney is one the most versatile and distinctive voices in the world of music, film, videogames, dance and theatre. His excellence, innovation and creativity has been recognised across the globe, with multiple major national and international awards for his work. We are very much looking forward to hosting him.”

With Don, Nitin will embark on a wide-ranging discussion of his career as both musician and composer, the multiplicity of musical styles that inform his work, as well as his thoughts on the creative process in a career that has taken him from ground-breaking studio albums such as 1999’s seminal ‘Beyond Skin’ to the entire composition of Netflix/Warner’s ‘Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle’ in 2018.

The recipient of more than twenty international awards, Nitin has already enjoyed an illustrious career.

As well as recording more than 20 studio albums, he has also created the scores for around 60 films, numerous TV series, theatre and dance performances, and even video games. He has also collaborated with some of the most celebrated star musicians across generations, including Sting, Ellie Goulding, Annie Lennox, Will Young, Bob Geldof Mira Nair and Anoushka Shankar.

Nitin is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and BAFTA. He has served as member of an appointed advisory committee to the UK government on national musical education policy, is an associate artist with London’s Sadlers Wells dance venue and has served as trustee on numerous boards including London’s Somerset House and the Whitechapel Art Gallery.

He has also been a broadcaster for BBC Radio 2 and has been a music judge for both of Sky Arts’ guitar star series as well as musical director for a TV series focussing on the work of David Bowie.

Nitin had his own BBC classical prom and has conducted the London Symphony Orchestra and other major orchestras. He is also patron for educational charities – Artis and the Abram Wilson Foundation.

As a touring musician and DJ Nitin has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Sydney Opera House and Fabric. As well as curating international festivals he has lectured at universities around the world, including Stanford and Berklee in Valencia.

Creative Dialogues is a series of exclusive ‘in-conversation’ events showcasing a range of high-profile speakers who are leaders in their respective fields across the creative industries and Humanities. The events provide a rare opportunity to join internationally-renowned professionals in person and learn first-hand about their colourful careers and life works.

The events are part of the University of Exeter’s Arts and Culture Strategy, which celebrates the University’s outstanding contributions to arts and culture in Devon and Cornwall.

It promotes international cultural relationships and dialogues, through highly-ranked arts research and teaching, practice and performance.

The event will be held at the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus on Tuesday, March 3. For more information, please visit the Arts and Culture website.

Date: 18 February 2020

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