All that jazz

Composer and jazz pioneer Louiz Banks will lead the celebrations for International Jazz Day tomorrow that will feature leading Indian musicians at a SoBo venue

To this writer, jazz has always been a mystery. An art form that dates back to the early twentieth century, it was born on the shores of the United States of America, and has travelled across the world. Each continent has contributed to it a different style and unique performers. It has been the domain of brave improvisers unafraid to experiment and push the boundaries.

For composer and jazz-pianist Louiz Banks freedom is the key word in jazz music. A pioneer in the Indian jazz scene, he has seen its rise, decline and recent resurgence. “I see now, a group of youngsters who seem very interested in learning and playing jazz, and that’s a good sign,” he acknowledges. Some of these young names will be a part of the upcoming performance at the NCPA on International Jazz Day.

The Sassy Songbirds; (from left) Karen D’Souza, Mimosa Almeida Pinto, Ella Castellino Atai and Marie Paul

In 2011, UNESCO declared April 30 as International Jazz Day on the suggestion of UNESCO Goodwill ambassador and legendary jazz pianist, Herbie Hancock. The NCPA event, conducted in association with the Herbie Hancock Institute, is a matter of pride for the Banks family. With sons, Neil and Gino,  Banks has been at the forefront of the celebrations for 11 years. “I am very happy that this is happening. These jazz musicians need a platform and we are giving them that platform,” he emphasises.

In a country overdosed on commercial music, jazz continues to be a niche genre. It always has been, the composer tells us before adding that the form shares similarities with  traditional Indian music. “Both are totally dependent, or at least 90 per cent, on improvisation. Classical music has improvisation based on a scale. Jazz has improvisations based on harmonic progressions,” Banks explains. The difference is in the freedom jazz accords. He declares, “In jazz, the operative word is always freedom.”

Rajeev Raja

As a reminder of its growing popularity, he reveals that the concert is almost sold out. With Louiz and Gino Banks joining familiar names Gary Lawyer, flautist Rajeev Raja, the Sassy Songbirds quartet — Marie Paul, Ella Castellino Atai, Mimosa Almeida Pinto and Karen D’Souza — alongside a new generation in Rhythm Shaw, Vasundhara Vee, Avishek Dey and Sheldon D’Silva among many others,  it is a rare moment in the sun for Indian jazz aficionados.

“Jazz musicians become better musicians. A lot of people are missing out on that,” he says. The basics of jazz allow you to get better at everything, Banks adds. “There is no limit, you know, it just keeps evolving,” he laughs. When a man whose keys kept up with the magic of Dizzy Gillespie says it, you listen and nod along.

On: April 30, 6.30 pm
At: NCPA Tata Theatre, Nariman Point log on to in.bookmyshow.com
Cost: Rs 500 onwards

Catch up on some jazz

Featuring Anubha Kaul, Shah Rule, Harsh Bhavsar and Adil Manuel and more
At: antiSOCIAL, Lower Parel. 
On: April 30, 8 pm onwards
Log on to: insider.in
Cost: Rs 499 onwards

Nrtya presents Saturday Night Live with Shreya Bhattacharya, Avishek Dey, Vaibhav Wavikar and more
At:Veranda, Pali Hill, Bandra. 
On:April 30, 9 pm
Log on to: insider.in

The Jazz Nation on Friday Night 
At: The Blue Bop Cafe, Linking Road, Khar West. 
On: April 29, 9 pm onwards
Log on to: @thebluebopcafe on Facebook
Call: 9372202586

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