NaraBara (Mongolia / Kina)

Born from the nightclubs and venues of Beijing, China, NaraBara is a musical collective blending the complex harmonies and intricate rhythms of jazz with the mystical storytelling and atmospheric qualities of Mongolian folk. Yider, the producer and vocalist, has enlisted keyboardist Asr, guitarist Suoty, and drummer Zhitong Xu to combine their years of technical craft in a soundscape rooted deeply in disciplined energy and textural layering.

The band’s debut album, “Hamt Zamin Hümüs”, was released in 2023. Here, Yider returned to his musical and cultural roots; a reconnection with the curiosity he felt towards Mongolian music when he was growing up as a child in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia. Showcasing their ability to bridge traditional instrumentation with modern aesthetics, the band seamlessly interlays the standard stage setup of keys, bass, and drums with the Guembri from Morocco, the Ngoni from West Africa, and the Morin Khuur from Mongolia. The final result is a Mongolian- sung, jazz-fused synergy that embodies the name of the album -  “Hamt Zamin Hümüs” means “Companions”. It is a boundary-crossing, creative collaboration amongst friends and musicians who are constantly finding inspiration in each other's company.