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There’s plenty of open space to be found in the noise made by experimental world-jazz group Trio Tarana. Guided by distinct rhythms from bandleader, composer and percussionist Ravish Momin, the ever-changing group embeds Asian folk motifs in contemporary jazz arrangements, producing a sound that is archaic yet modern, which he describes as “a place where ancient meets future.”

The New York-based, Indian-born Momin tours under the name Trio Tarana, and plays with variety of musicians around the globe. For their China tour, which takes in Hong Kong, he has enlisted the services of bassist Peter Scherr and violin virtuoso Skye Steele.“[When I started the band] I always had an open concept,” says Momin. “I knew I wanted violin to lead, and I was open to any other world instruments.”

Monim lays the foundation for the trio’s complicated compositions on a drum kit, while a violin and oud (a pear-shaped predecessor to the lute) take turns on lead, using quick melodic riffs to bide time between longer improvisational sections. “I often tell people we play imaginary folk music from a country that doesn’t exist,” says Momin, referencing his fusion of random instruments and musical styles.

During their two-week tour of China, the trio will swap out the usual oud accompaniment for a double bassist, and feature an unofficial member of the band on violin. The double-bass alteration should add more soul to the dependable but sparse rhythm section of the small group, while Momin has recently arranged a few songs on his laptop that he will throw into proceedings. Nowadays, with modern controllers, it is possible to integrate computer music into an improvising scenario in a spontaneous way,” says bassist Scherr.

As eastern folk traditions meet the fast pace of western jazz improv, Trio Tarana’s exploratory sound should make a perfect match for a city where so many dissonant cultures have been uncomfortably hitched together. This imaginary folk music from a country that doesn’t exist, might just find a neat little resting place in Hong Kong.

Michael Nuñez