Triple treat for Jazz lovers

Jazz trio Jarry Singla, Ramesh Shotam and Christian Ramond, have plans to stun Mumbai with their interpretation of Jarry's compositions in the performance titled Eastern Flowers. Catch them at NCPA this evening

After receiving a tremendous response in Kolkata and Delhi, Eastern Flowers has arrived on Mumbai's shores for its third performance in the country. The audience will get to witness an amalgamation of the genius of percussionist Ramesh Shotham, pianist Jarry Singla and double bass player Christian Ramond at the performance. The concert, hosted by the Max Mueller Bhavan, is part of the 15-month collaborative celebration of the 60th year of Germany in India called Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities.

Percussionist Ramesh Shotham, pianist Jarry Singla and double bass
player Christian Ramond

By virtue of having lived in the same city in Germany, the three artistes have been collaborating for a couple of years. But this is the first time Jarry and Christian are performing in India. "Three of us have performed together in Germany before," says Jarry, who has been composing music for the last 20 years.

Jarry Singla has been composing music for the last 20 years

Jarry started playing the piano at a young age. " I soon realised that this was what I was meant to do," he says. Having travelled to different countries, Jarry's compositions have influences from different parts of the world. "Apart from Jazz, I am interested in Classical and Folk music from different countries.

I have met many different musicians, who have really inspired me," he says. Each of his compositions are different. "While some pieces have influences of Cuban music, some are inspired by Indian music,u00a0 rhythms from Morocco or European music," says the pianist, who is known to combine European musical traditions with a variety of Jazz styles and music from other cultures.

Ramesh Shotham likes to describe the group's music as World music, "for lack of a better word," he states. Along with drums, Ramesh's percussion set includes the Ghatam, Darbuka, Dholak and Cajatom. He is also going to perform the kannakol -- the art of vocal percussion.

With the Ghatam in the picture and two traditional pieces from South India as part of the performance, it's tempting to ask Ramesh if the concert will have an Indian flavour? "Jarry and Christian both have Indian backgrounds. But it's not about Indian music," he says, "This is truly a homogenous form of music. And we have tried to interpret Jarry's compositions for the audience," he adds.

The performance, he promises will be a treat for not just Jazz lovers, but music lovers at large. "Jarry will also be performing the prepared piano (in which a piano's sound has been changed by alterations being brought about by placing certain objects or instruments); and he will be making the changes in between pieces," says Ramesh, as he signs off.u00a0u00a0

On: Today, 7 pm onwards
At: Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point.
Entry: Free, passes will be available at Max Mueller Bhavan and NCPA box office

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