Rajiv Parikh, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, CO, 1/20/06- photo by Tobin Voggesser

A few years back New Monsoon founding percussionist Rajiv Parikh stepped away from the group’s touring line-up in order to spend more time with his family. In the intervening time he has made occasional appearances with the band when it is in the Bay Area where he resides. On Friday night he will do so once again, performing with New Monsoon when it appears at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall.

The group’s latest release is a double-live effort, recorded during New Monsoon’s October 2008 run through Texas.