'Ronnie Menezes was not only a good pianist, but also a good accompanist'

In pianist Ronnie Menezes’s passing, Mumbai musicians mourn the loss of a mentor and icon of Indian jazz

Mumbai-based jazz icon Ronnie Menezes passed away from complications arising due to Covid-19 on April 6. Beloved in recent years for filling the foyer of Lower Parel’s Palladium mall with sweet piano sounds but the 81-year-old had a vast influence over Indian jazz in the decades before. 

Many in the city’s music circle received the sad update Tuesday evening through a WhatsApp message from Colin D’Cruz, the pianist’s one-time bandmate. 
“An Indian jazz icon Ronnie Menezes passed away. His son Roger called and could barely speak through his tears. An unforgettable musician for me as my first jazz concert was with him. May his soul rest in peace.” 

In conversation with Goa-based D'Cruz, who grew up in Kalina, sadness hangs in the air but he chooses to reminisce about their performance together.  “I played with him at my first ever jazz concert in the ‘80s at Sophia College. We were a quartet which included guitarist Dhanraj Skau, drummer Lester Godinho, pianist Ronnie Menezes and me as the bassist,” he says. 

Colin D'Cruz

Before the quartet, the pianist helmed the bands ‘Ronnie Menezes Trio’ and ‘Ronnie Menezes and his Soul Sound’ too, playing clubs and ballrooms from at least the 1960s. Lester Godinho, who also shared the stage with the veteran artiste in the ‘80s, says he had been a mentor to many. “He was a thorough gentleman and one of the old-school type, and most importantly always lent a helping hand to musicians starting out in Bombay at that time,” says the drummer.

Ronnie Menezes seen on Usha Uthup's debut Scotch and Soda album cover. Photo: Nishant Mittal (Instagram: @digginginindia)

Singers loved to work with Menezes for one particular reason, observes 61-year-old D’Cruz. “He was not only a very good pianist but also a very good accompanist. Not many pianists can be great accompanists but he was one.” Most prominently, he collaborated with singer Usha Uthup on her debut album ‘Scotch and Soda’, “If you ask Usha Uthup who her favourite pianist is even today, she will take his name,” D’Cruz declares. Menezes further featured on a rare record of singer Sharon Prabhakar reciting musical multiplication tables.

The Ronnie Menezes Quartet featured in Usha Uthup's debut album Scotch and Soda. Photo: Nishant Mittal (Instagram: @digginginindia)

The jazz star travelled and performed around the world, including the United Kingdom and Kuwait. Later, he began playing solo at the Le Royal Meridian (which is now known as Hilton Mumbai International Airport Hotel) in Andheri, before moving on to other venues. More recently, he always sat behind the piano at the opulent Palladium mall in Lower Parel. Surrounded by luxury clothing stores, himself dressed in a well-fitting suit, he would smile and occasionally nod at shoppers who stopped to listen.

Describing the kind of person Menezes was, D’Cruz says, “He was mild-mannered and very easy to get along with, and without any envy. He performed almost every night for almost six decades. Not many musicians can do that.” 

(With inputs from Anuka Roy)

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