Since the ‘50s, Goa and jazz have been
synonymous. Chris Perry’s legacy proves that, as does that of Braz Gonsalves.
The latter legend’s wife, Yvonne, epitomises the connection shared with the
genre and she still is an active performer on the circuit. If not for Goa’s
jazz artistes, the basis and foundation for Bollywood’s critically acclaimed
soundtracks would not have been laid all those years ago, and item numbers
would only be figments of people’s imagination. But over to the current day
now.
Jazz Goa is the only organisation in
India to host the International Jazz Day event in Goa right from its inception
by UNESCO in 2012. Every year on April 30, some of the most accomplished jazz
artistes from Goa, across India and around the world take the stage to
celebrate a great form of music. This year’s event will have two sections with
a concert at the Central Library, Panjim from 6pm to 7pm, followed by a jam
session at Bay 15, Dona Paula from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Entry is free of cost and
seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
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Speaking on the event, local jazz legend
Colin D’Cruz shares a little insight on what one can expect from the event.
“Indian jazz guitar legend Gerard Machado from Bangalore will be the featured
guest artiste with the house band Jazz Junction. As is the case every year,
promising young jazz talent from Goa will also be given a platform to perform
at this event. This year, the show opens with Anand Lobo and Joy de Souza, two
talented young musicians who have taken classical music from the concert hall
to the streets, performing regularly at various street corners in Goa. Following
them, another talented youngster, fadista Efiginia
de Santana Miranda, takes the stage with Omar de Loyola Pereira and Colin
D’Cruz as accompanists. Then, at just thirteen years of age, India’s youngest
saxophonist Enrico Rodrigues makes his concert debut with the house band Jazz
Junction. Finally, Goa’s most promising young jazz singer, Daniella Rodrigues,
brings the curtains down with a selected set of jazz standards. Celebrity show
host Raymond Albuquerque has been driving down from Mumbai every year to do the
honour of hosting the event, and will do so again this year for the sixth time
in a row. This year the Central Library, Panjim and Bay 15, Dona Paula play
venue hosts while Furtados Music offers the artistes musical instrument
support,” Colin shares.
The Bay 15 Jam session will feature
performances from Goa’s legendary saxophonist, Jazzy Joe’s son, Christopher
Pereira among many others, including singer Carlton Braganza from Bangalore and
percussionist Christian Marquez from Germany.
And of course, Goa is no stranger to the
genre of jazz, with many venues being very open to the style of music and
having dedicated days to the style. One such example is The Park, in Calangute,
which throws its jazzy doors open every Monday evening. Colin points out that
this is not the only venue, with others definitely being keen on the style.
“Venues such as Kala Academy in Panjim, Jardim Garcia de Orta in Panjim, Jazz
Inn in Cavelossim, Bay 15 in Dona Paula, Cantare in Saligao, Baga Brasserie in
Baga, Cohiba in Sinquerim, Sol de Goa in Nerul, Le Meridian in Calangute and
Grand Hyatt in Bambolim are always open to the idea of having jazz acts on
their stage,” the bass-man opines.
With today set to
be an evening to remember for all things jazzy, one can but hope that jazz
lives on through the hearts of those that hold it dear, for many years to come.
