“Ambassador Of Love” – Peter Gabriel
Johnny is a self-taught dhol drum master and has been playing for over 16 years.
His love for the dhol (a two sided percussion instrument that originates in the North Indian Region) inspired him to continue to learn to play even though he couldn’t find anyone to give him lessons.
Johnny soon set the gold standard for the dhol drum and began receiving requests for lessons. This led him to start the Dhol Foundation, which now provides classes to students around the world.
The Dhol Foundation group has toured the world for many years and recorded three best selling albums. They were also part of the opening performance at the Wembley Stadium leg of the Live Earth event.
Johnny’s magnetism and charm led Peter Gabriel to dub him the “Ambassador Of Love.” He is also a member of The Afro Celt Sound System.
The list of artists he has worked with is extensive and includes:
Asian Dub Foundation
Transglobal Underground
Afro Celt Sound System
Peter Gabriel
Evelyn Glennie
Ang Lee
Simon Emmerson
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Robert Plant and Jimmy Page
David Arnold
Cliff Richard
Lawrence Fishbourne
Avril Lavigne
Nelly Futardo
One of Johnny’s songs was used in Scorsese’s Gangs Of New York.
Listen to tracks featuring Johnny Kalsi
Extracts of tracks featuring Johnny Kalsi:
You Turned
When You Loved Me
After The Rain
Fistful Of Dhollars
Palace Of Love
Drummer’s Reel
Eik Din II
Eik Din