By Eifion Jenkins

WELSH jazz/folk met classical Indian music in surely one of the most groundbreaking evenings jazz music has enjoyed in Narberth, at SpanJazz's latest gig at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel.

Khamira ('yeast' in Hindu-Urdu) fuses Indian classical and jazz musicians with Burum ('yeast' in Welsh), a Cardiff-based jazz/folk outfit.

And the result was simply stunning.

Familiar folk songs from Wales ('Pan Own y Gwanwyn'/'Y Gwydd') were woven into the rhythms of tabla drums and the sitar-like tones of the bowed strings of the sarangi to create a new and unique world music sound.

The partnership has been developed over number of years between Burum and a jazz conservatoire in Delhi.

It began in November 2015 when Burum travelled to India to tour and joined forces with three great Indian musicians: Aditya Balani on guitar, Suhail Yusuf Khan on sarangi and vocals, and Vishal Nagar on tabla and vocals.

Extended improvisations and complex interplay between the instruments were often breathtaking, particularly those between drummer Mark O'Connor and the tabla. But there was much else to rave about, from the captivating singing of Suhail to the percussive voice music of Vishal, and the excellent and fiery keyboard work of Dave Jones to the almost sitar-like sounds of Aditya's guitar.

Then, of course, there was the Miles Davis-inspired trumpet of Tomos Williams and the thumping bass lines of Aidan Thorne.

Currently on a two-week tour of Wales, catch Khamira if they come your way.

Meanwhile, next up at SpanJazz Narberth on June 8 is the UK's best kept jazz secret with piano from London and soul from New Orleans – Dom Pipkin.

Tickets: £10/9/5 (full/Span Arts members and concessions/student).