Ajazz concert will be
held today at the Goa University by the Matteo Fraboni Quartet featuring Laura
Santana. The show will feature a selection of Christmas songs by American
composers like Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and many more.
Matteo Frabini is a jazz musician well
known in Europe and the American jazz scene as a drummer and composer. After
teaching for ten years in Rome, Bologna and Paris, he taught at the AR Rahman
Conservatory in Chennai. He has toured the country for three years with his new
Quintet and playing with legendary percussionist Nathoolal Solanky of Radiohead
in front of 13,000 and thereby earning the title of the most popular Italian
jazz musician in India.
Speaking to Herald Cafe from Mumbai Matteo
Fraboni said, “We have performed in Goa on several occasions and we are
delighted to perform at the Goa University as it is the only institution of
high quality for international studies in Goa”.
Speaking about the songs he would be
performing he said they would be performing a selection of Christmassy songs by
American composers and not only as Glenn Miller, Hug Martin, Judy Garland, Frank
Sinatra, Sammy Cahn, Felix Bernard, Bobby Helms, Gerald Marks, Consuelo
Velasquez and more. “All the repertoire has been arranged by the band members
under my guidance as I’ve invited the musicians who knows how to play this
language of improvisation”.
The ensemble include the Laura Santana, whose family marked the
era of jazz in India in the 1980s, Akshada’s Krishnan, one of the most
promising talent on piano from Bangalore, veteran Denis Petukhov from Moscow,
and Mark Hartsuch Dey, the most prominent Tenor Saxophone player that India has
to offer. The show is curated by the Italian artist Maestro Matteo Fraboni as
band leader, on drums and percussion, for a Christmassy concert specifically
created for the occasion at Goa University.
Speaking about the standard of jazz in the country, Matteo said
the standard of jazz music in India was increasing sensibly thanks to many
youngsters who studied abroad.
Laura Santana who will be featured said, “Now that I am a
permanent resident of Goa after I got married here, being a Goan born and
brought up in New Delhi hailing from the renowned Santana Family. Firstly, I
feel extremely proud and elated for being the only Goan representing my
beautiful and multitalented state – Goa, alongside such internationally renowned
line up of talented artists that too at our Goa University. Secondly, this
being a Christmas Concert, I get to sing to and for the Lord, for which I feel
truly Happy and Blessed.”
The
event is organised with the collaboration and support of Savita Kelkar of the
VRSP.
