An Amazing Line-up of the Best International Jazz Days in Bangalore to Play Over the Weekend
An Amazing Line-up of the Best International Jazz Days in Bangalore to Play Over the Weekend
In February this year, musicians began meeting at Alliance Française, Bengaluru for Café Jazz Sessions – a platform to connect with each other and audience through jam sessions, lecture performances and performances.
“The cafe was a meeting point for session musicians to connect with jazz, perform and share their experiences. We will also bring in Indian classical musicians to show their association with jazz,” says Jagdish MR of Bangalore School of Music, who Hosted these sessions. The enthusiasm was infectious and as sessions became increasingly popular, hosting an event on a jazz day was the most natural progression for lovers of the genre.
11 bands will participate in International Jazz Day Bengaluru celebrations on 29 and 30 April; Most were already part of the cafe sessions, though some were invited, Jagdish M.R.
“I was looking for such sessions in the city; It was a great place to see the people you see in action as well as learn, interact and perform with others,” says Anand Murali, a city musician who was in the audience at the session. Were, and will perform on the piano at the Jazz Day event with Gautham David on saxophone, Haripriya Narasimhan on electric bass and Rohit PS on drums, as the quartet. He said, “I am looking forward to the event as I am sure That this will lead to many collaborations.”
According to Suvankar Ghosh, another musician from Bengaluru, it is important for jazz players to meet others and improvise in real-time. “Unlike other genres, jazz bands usually don’t have fixed members. You find someone who speaks a similar language of music and team up with them. Improv is a big part of jazz – like-minded musicians interacting with them as they play,” says Suvankar, who will be playing the standard on guitar with Gioraj George on drums for the first time at the event with Joshua Costa on piano.
Rohit PS playing the drums at the Moonara World Fusion event. photo credit: special arrangement
The event will be inaugurated by Thierry Berthelot, Consul General of France and will see some of the most loved names in the city’s music scene share the stage with the students of Bangalore School of Music over two days. Heavy Breezin’, the IAMR Project and Moonara World Fusion Ensemble on day one, will complete with movement, audio visuals and narration as envisioned by Madhuri Jagdish, in addition to a stage production titled ‘A Continent Called Jazz’.
The Rex Rosario Quintet and Gerard Machado Trio will join the band playing on April 30. Experimental’s West African musician Israel Thomas will also perform at the event. “I believe young musicians like the Akshada Krishnan trio and the Vivek Santosh trio will take jazz forward,” says Jagdish.
International Jazz Day Bengaluru Celebrations presented by The Bangalore School of Music and Moonara World Fusion will be held at Prabhat Kaladwarka Auditorium inside Koramangala Club. Admission is free and passes are available at Alliance Française and Bangalore School of Music.