IT emanated out of African American communities of
New Orleans and this musical genre is without a doubt a purely American art
form. This was the late 19th and 20th century. Jazz was
first heard in India in the early or middle 1920’s. It was another sound to be
heard in a country with a very rich and varied musical menu card so to speak.
Thanks to the presence of important ports in Kolkata and Mumbai, one can safely
predict musicians set up shop in the bars that line these operations and
introduced these interesting sounds to patrons.
This weekend, quite possibly one of the biggest
annual jazz events in India, called the Jazz India Circuit Goa will be held at
the ICG Dona Paula. Avik Roy of Teamwork Arts ( which curates the acclaimed
Jaipur Literature Festival) was very excited with the festival just around the
corner. He said “We took over this property in 2013 and we have the
intellectual properties for this show”.
When asked
why jazz, he said “We basically do music properties in niche spaces. We started
the Friends of Music platform and led to the rise of bands like Indian ocean. Today
there are several music schools and jazz lets you improvise on their feet”.
Jazz also allowed for improvisation. The bands that will play over the two days
come from countries as diverse as Canada, Lithuania, Norway, India and
Switzerland.
Roy said the company reached out to them and on many
occasions, the bands would reach out to them too. Strong connections were also
created with embassies many of whom were keen to expand cultural diplomacy. He
said, “We curate experiences and we would like to see Goa develop into a
destination festival but we admit it is difficult to get finances but we
are making an attempt”.
Vinesh Iyer of the Live music project presently
still co-owns the jazz show with Jazz India Circuit. He said that the jazz festival
was started 20 years ago in Goa but it was felt a more contemporary Jazz show
was the need of the hour. This show would showcase cutting edge music. This
show and others like it had proved that jazz was not dead and the young were
practicing jazz.
Armando Gonsalves was looking forward to bands on
both the days because the lineup was top class. He said “I listen to all kinds
of music though I have to admit that jazz and fusion remain my favourite. A
show of this magnitude is coming after a while and so it has generated quite a
bit of excitement amongst fans of jazz”.
Colin D’ Cruz,
the best known Goan bassist who
made his name in Mumbai said he would be helping on the second day and he was
looking forward to the gig by the Norway-based collaborative musical group
‘Monoswezi’ who will perform traditional African songs mixed with cool
Scandinavian jazz. Monoswezi has acquired a cult following in the world music
genre. He however bemoaned the absence of Goan musicians in the show. He said “
We have a fine reputation for our talent and expertise , we have someone from
Delhi playing here and why not someone from Goa. Local acts get side-tracked,
This is also the reason why I don’t perform at such international shows in Goa.
I want Goans to be present here”
This
year, the Jazz India Circuit, Goa boasts
an unbelievable line-up of talented artistes and celebrated performers.
High-energy Canadian band, ‘The Shuffle Demons’ will showcase their signature
genre bending, visually entertaining and funny compositions. Acclaimed singer
and songwriter Macha Gharibian will create an elegant blend of jazz, folk and
pop with the terrific ‘Macha Gharibian Trio’. Described as ‘one of the most
important musicians of his generation’, virtuoso guitarist, Simon Thacker brings
his pioneering guitar style to India for the first time. ‘Karan Khosla and
Company’ will bring together seasoned jazz musicians from Goa and across India
to play an authentic jazz set that spans the gamut of the jazz idiom, from
bebop to contemporary.
The
circuit will also see ‘The Turbans’ bring together sounds from ‘(m)anywhere’
with their interstellar live show. One of the most influential ithuanian jazz
units, ‘Dainius Pulaskas Group’, will showcase their unique brand of
progressive Lithuanian jazz-fusion. Norway-based collaborative musical group
‘Monoswezi’ will perform traditional African songs mixed with cool Scandinavian
jazz. Swiss post-jazz quartet, ‘The Great Harry Hillman’ will combine jazz,
rock and improve into a subdued, layered yet thrilling sound.
Last
year the standards were kept equally high. The two time Grammy award nominee
Hiatus Kaiyote, an Australian soul quartet performer performed for the first
time ever in India. In addition Lester Godinho, a drumming legend, performed
too with his band Still Waters. There were other awesome acts like Jerome Klein
from Luxembourg, one of Europe’s most exciting jazz groups – OZMA, the French
Afrofunk ensemble – Supergombo, leading
specialists of British ‘punk-jazz’ – WorldService Project and India’s guitar
prodigy – Rhythm Shaw & his band Orjazzmic.
