The talent of Goan bands is known around the country. Many of them are hired to play in corporate events or at weddings. Now, their talent has gone international. Two bands from Goa, Jazz Junction and A 26 recently performed in Canada in two events organised by the Global Goan Association of Canada (GGAC). These two bands have now paved the way for more Goan bands to perform in Canada soon.
Colin D’Cruz of Jazz Junction says, “It was an absolutely thrilling experience playing to an over enthusiastic full house at both events. The first event ‘Summer Fiesta’ featured five bands. A26 and Jazz Junction headlined the event that ran right through the day and late into the night at the picturesque Port Credit Memorial Park, Mississauga. The second event was ‘Night at the Movies’ a global first, one of a kind concert where two bands A26 and Jazz Junction performed some of the most popular movie songs and soundtracks in perfect sync with actual footage from the movie.”
Jazz Junction’s line up included Bosco Fernandes on guitar, Tony Dias on keyboards, Colin D’Cruz on bass, Sheldon De Souza on drums with Canada based singers Ruth Saldanha, Laura Fernandez, Alyse Pascoe, Charmaine Blair, Cherry de Luna, Ashley Pinto, Beverly Pinto, Arlene Barneto, Gail Barneto, Evelyno Braganza, Amisha Sharma, Melanie Pereira, Bewick Karkada, Desmond Silveira, Alan de Menezes, Donald Thomas and Gerry Coutinho.
Colin says he was quite surprised at the response from the Goan community in Canada. He says he was aware that Goans love their dance and music but the rapt attention and applause at an auditorium concert was testimony to Goans being avid listeners too. He says the inevitable happened, when probably for the first time in the auditorium’s history, people stood up and danced towards the end of the show.
Colin feels the Goan community in Canada have hearts that still belong to Goa and anything connected to Goa fills them with nostalgic memories of the beautiful homeland they left behind. He says the Goan community was homesick and the band noticed that even the most complex jazz tune couldn’t beat the simple Goan Mando. In Canada, he says it’s a forty thousand strong Goan community so any Goan event guarantees a good turnout.
He was thankful to Trevor Menezes for his leadership skills in ensuring the event happened. Colin says, “We owe Trevorlyn Menezes and the incredible committee he put together every bit of applause that we got at the two events organised by his Global Goan Association of Canada.” The organisation is trying to unite Goans around the world. The plan is to have this event in different countries with a Goan population. There are plans to have it in the UK, USA and then Australia.
Summer Fiesta also featured three other Canadian bands, Bigfoot, Achante and a reggae band featuring a mix of Indian and Canadian musicians. Bigfoot is the most popular Goan band in Canada, Achante featured Goan singer Chantelle and the reggae band had an eclectic mix of global musicians.
An interesting thing about the GGAC is that the organisation offers complete transparency and an open account book. Travel, hospitality and stay for artistes is taken care of and performance fees will be determined by a share in profits. Bands like A26 drew an over capacity crowd and monetarily benefited them far more than charging a performance fee.
The crowds he says responded very well and they enjoyed the outings. The band earned a share of the profits since they were part of the committee. This arrangement was better than the standard payment. Tickets were sold for $20 and premium tickets for $40. Several unique events are planned. Plans are afoot to charter a cruise ship next year and turn it into a Goa cruise and travel from Vancouver to Alaska and give people a complete Goan experience on board.
Lester Rodrigues, the founder, manager and lead vocalist of A26 says it was a very good experience. He says, “The Goan crowds were very good and I was able to interact with Goans from all over the world. Places like Pakistan, Africa and it was an enlightening experience. The audiences were very good listeners. The songs in English and Konkani were very well received and everyone spoke in Konkani.” He says friends came from the US to watch them perform and they were also able to make a trip to Niagara Falls. He says he would have no problems going back next year and performing again.
