Braz Gonsalves is a name that is synonymous with contemporary jazz in Goa. Braz, an
octogenarian, started his journey playing the saxophone in a circus. From
there, he became a renowned saxophone player; today he plays gospel. In an
attempt to bring back the love for Jazz among the new generations in Goa, three
organisations – Communicare Trust, Lotus Film and TV Production and Help India
– have decided to portray and honour Braz for his work.
The trio has organised a musical to
celebrate the life jazz saxophonist Braz Gonsalves through the event, Raga
Rock.
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The event, which will consist of a
musical, documentary and concert, will be held June 14 at Kala Academy, Panjim
and June 15 at Ravindra Bhavan Margao, both at 7pm.
Braz told the organisers that it was
impossible to not have him play for the event. Therefore, Braz, Louiz Banks,
Karl Peters and Jarryd Rodrigues will be putting up a concert right after the
musical. Along with them, band of youngsters.
The musical has been put together by the NGO Communicare Trust
and artist Maria Meireles, a singer and music conductor from Portugal, who will
be the musical director of the play. Maria and Jazz pianist Jason Quadros have
recreated the scores for the musical. “As a musician, I must say that is the
most difficult part,” she says.
Sandeep Doifode, English teacher at Sunshine Worldwide School
and a drama enthusiast, is assisting Maria with the direction of the play.
There are 16 children from different backgrounds, including four boys from
Bethesda Life Centre, who are the main actors who will act, sing and dance.
These children are aged from 12 to 17. Some of them have professional
experience while some of them are taking part in a musical for the first time.
Maria
reveals that few of them had never heard of Jazz before, nor knew what it was.
“We gradually began from scratch, spoke about the music, taught
them about few Jazz singers, and told them about the type of instruments being
used. We also practised songs from famous artistes,” says Maria.
Over a period of six months, Maria and team have trained and
moulded them into professionals. The kids have adapted so well that the lyrics
to the tunes have been written by them with the support of Maria.
The musical will tell Braz’s story, starting from his childhood,
when he started to play the violin and his journey to Mumbai, where he becomes
The Braz Gonsalves. It also includes scenes of meeting the love of his life and
eventually the tragedy that changed his life and turned him towards the
Almighty Lord. This rollercoaster called life that Braz boarded will be told
through songs created by the legend himself, especially some from his very own
album: Raga Rock and hence the name of the Musical.
Nalini Elvino de Sousa, the Manger of Communicare, says, “This
time it is something different. Usually we always do plays, but now it is a
musical, that too of such a significant personality.” She also expresses that
it is not only about Braz’s life, but a symbol of how Jazz can make a comeback
in many forms. It is a creative form of music hence the young too can transform
them into different scores and tunes or lyrics.
The
team has not only decided to have the play, but have also directed a
documentary. As the story unfolds, the journey too ends and the memories fade
away. Braz Gonsalves and everybody who gave so much to the world of Jazz might
only remain in archives. Hence, Lotus Film and TV Production is coming together
to create a documentary on this legend, which apart from his journey, will also
include footage of all his performance in Macau, Portugal and other parts of
the world. Several musicians and friends were interviewed and will be part of
this documentary.
