It is the most democratic of music genres, accessible to everyone and welcoming to one and all. It is also an art form that is difficult to define because jazz encompasses a wide range of music spanning a period of over 100 years, from ragtime to rock-infused fusion. People have made attempts to define jazz from the perspective of other musical traditions, such as European music history or African music. Jazz is defined by improvisation and is often characterized by the product of interaction and collaboration, placing less value on the contribution of the composer, if there is one, and more on the performer. The jazz performer interprets a tune in individual ways, never playing the same composition twice. Depending on the performer’s mood, experience, and interaction with band members or audience members, the performer may change melodies, harmonies, and time signatures. Now why are we discussing all this? It goes without saying that jazz as a genre has carved a distinct niche for itself in the State.
As the world celebrates the magic of Jazz on April 30, this evening, April 29, Goa Jazz Academy will showcase the prowess of its students and faculty at Aguada Port and Jail Complex, from 6 pm onwards. This will be followed by the Karan Khosla quartet and then the artist of the event, the Dutch saxophonist Ben Van Dungen and his quartet will hold the stage. Karan Khosla, director of Goa Jazz Academy says, “All three sets will be rooted in bebop which will be absolute fun. The show generated great interest and is already sold out.”
Jazz is without a doubt alive and kicking in Goa. In fact, Jazz Goa’s Colin D’Cruz feels Goa is now an international jazz hub with musicians from across India and around the world deciding to set up base here. This year, Jazz Goa’s International Jazz Day event will be held at Altrude by the Sea, Candolim on April 30, 7 pm onwards. Since Jazz Goa is a non-profit organisation, entry is free. As it happens every year, this year’s line-up promises to be yet another out and out entertainer with musicians from Goa, across India and around the world coming together to celebrate a great form of music.
Jazz Goa is the only organisation in India to host the International Jazz Day event right from its inception in 2012. Other organisations around the country joined in from the following years. International Jazz Day is now celebrated worldwide on April 30 with over a hundred participating countries. The show curated by Colin D’Cruz will feature talented youngsters alongside accomplished professionals from Goa, across India and around the world. He smiles and says, “Jazz Goa will steer clear of an elitist stigma and make sure it would be a fun entertaining night out, showcasing some simply amazing jazz talent.”
Speaking about the importance and the history of the day, Colin says, “International Jazz Day is an international day declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 2011 ‘to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.’ The idea came from jazz pianist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. The celebration is recognized on the calendars of both UNESCO and the United Nations”.
He adds that the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz (formerly the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz), an American NGO, also chaired by Hancock, is the lead organizational partner for Jazz Day. The Institute coordinates activities in the UNESCO member states as well as the Global Host Celebration. Events in the Host City culminate in an All-Star
Global Concert, which involves numerous jazz musicians from around the world performing in or around an historical landmark.
Colin reveals the parent company had made enquiries about India as a destination for the International Jazz Day celebrations with Goa as host city in 2016 but, Colin and others felt they did not have the capacity then. However, now it was different. Jazz Goa had signed up with a bigger event organizer and in 2025, Goa will be the host city. Colin says, “All the big musicians from all over the world will be in Goa to play jazz that day. Goa will be the centre of focus of the jazz world.”
Speaking about this year’s show, he says, “The musicians are practicing very hard. We are opening the concert with a composition by Louis Banks called Sussegado. It will be a fitting tribute to Louis Banks and Goa.”
Some of the more talented and accomplished musicians will showcase their skills. Daniella Rodrigues will be performing seven to eight songs with Jason Quadros, Lester Godinho and Colin D’Cruz. Daniella says, “Singing jazz was the best thing ever in the world. Never thought I would get into it but was introduced to jazz by Bosco and started enjoying it. You are able to interpret the composition as you wish and that is always great for a musician. I am certainly looking forward to the show on Saturday.”
Percussion is an important part of jazz music and Carlos Gonsalves, noted percussionist, will jam with musicians and will showcase percussion styles from all over the world. He says, “Music is a universal language and my language is music. On Saturday, we shall showcase the magic of music and its place in this world”.
Akshada Krishnan is considered the next big name in Indian jazz. Based out of Bengaluru, Askhada plays the piano and is looking forward to playing with Colin D’Cruz. She took up playing jazz four years ago after meeting a senior musician, Aman Mahajan. She says, “I play jazz with emotion, play with passion and freedom. Improvisation after all is the core essence of jazz. I intend to have a great time on Saturday.”
Let the good times roll.
