About

THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE PRESENTS

OLIVER RAJAMANI

WITH ZAMORA ORCHESTRA • CONDUCTED BY PETER BAY

Sunday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre

Weaving together pulsating Romani (Gypsy) melodies and rhythms, sensual Western orchestral string arrangements and hints of old-style Texas country with haunting Armenian duduk, American jazz and strong whiffs of exotic India, Rajamani creates an intoxicating cultural union with his music. The ballads are sung in English sprinkled with Romani and the languages of India. The Austin musician hopes his original music adds color, spice and passion to the Texas musical landscape. “My music is for people from all walks of life,” he said. “It brings together the musical threads of Gypsy/folk India, European Romani and Texas Americana while bringing recognition to the historical Indian origins of the Romani people.” 

Rajamani, whose music was influenced by a childhood listening to Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Nate King Cole and Elvis Presley, uses his music to showcase Romani culture and music. “The music of the Romani diaspora has so many styles,” he said. “Including Flamenco and Gypsy jazz as well as Gypsy/folk influences from India.” 

The concert will be Rajamani’s first public Austin concert since 2020 and will coincide with the release of his 10^th album, VASI.  “This album carries a vivacious and persevering radiance that transforms the darkest of memories into light similar to traditional Romani music,” he said. Featured on the CD are: Texas artists including Suzanna Choffel, two-time Grammy winning jazz vocalist Diane Schuur as well as Roby Lakatos, the king of Hungarian Gypsy violin; Jivan Gasparayan, who plays Armenian duduk; and Gypsy jazz guitarist Amati Schmitt. 

An 18-piece orchestra will accompany Rajamani at The Paramount concert, which will also include performances by Lakatos, and Gasparyan as well as local vocalist Suzanna Choffel and musicians on sitar, dhol and Romani guitar. Austin Symphony Orchestra Music Director Peter Bay will conduct the orchestra.  

BUY TICKETS

VIP tickets include a meet and greet with the artists with a special celebration of lights (Diwali) and a copy of the new CD VASI. Details will be emailed to VIP ticket holders.

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, November 12
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• Venue: The Paramount Theatre
• Website: https://tickets.austintheatre.org/9538/9539

Ticket Information

• Cost: $25.00 - $159.00

Presenter Details

• Name: Paramount Theatre

Established in 1915, the Paramount Theatre has been home to iconic films and performances, including the likes of Harry Houdini, Katharine Hepburn, and Miles Davis. Explore this historic venue’s first 100 years.

On May 6, 1977, the Texas Historical Commission dedicated a state historical marker. The building’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places qualified the Paramount for federal restoration funds. Congressman J.J. Pickle and Governor Dolph Briscoe aided the theatre in getting $1.85 million. This federal money accounted for 95% of the restoration costs from 1978-1980.

The Paramount charged into the new millennium riding decades of positive growth. In 2000, the Paramount merged with the State Theatre, its nextdoor neighbor for 65 years, to form the Austin Theatre Alliance under joint management. The theatres’ slate was once again as diverse as in its vaudeville days.

In 2012, the Austin Theatre Alliance creates and launches the nationally-recognized annual Moontower Comedy Festival, with headliners Wanda Sykes, Steven Wright, Seth Meyers, Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Marc Maron, Ari Shaffir, Big Jay Oakerson, JB Smoove, and Jeff Ross.

Venue Details