‘Jazz’ bells ring in namma ooru

The Jazz style of music, love it or not, manages to get people tapping their feet and swaying their hips. Originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Jazz music has certainly become a movement in namma ooru, with a lot of people be it young or old embracing this genre. The International Jazz Day is celebrated every year on the April 30. Marking this special occasion, The Bangalore School of Music will be conducting a special event to commemorate this day. Talking to MR Jagadeesh, director of the school and head of Jazz and contemporary music department, we delve deeper into this revolutionary genre.

Jagadeesh starts off by sharing that Jazz day is organised in four cities in India namely — Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. He says, “Coming from Bengaluru, it’s good to see that we were able to put Bengaluru on the map as far as Jazz is concerned.”

Jazz being a music for the elite is the single largest misconception that people have. “If you study the roots of jazz, it comes from the most darkest roots. It came from the blues, oppression, slaves and great depression. But it definitely stimulates senses and your mind, “ he says  adding that after 100 years, its known today as an American oral art form.

He explains, “Jazz is also to be discerned by ears. With jazz, most of it is spontaneous which comes from years of performing. So it calls for a lot of creativity energy. No one performance is the same.”

With Jazz, you need to live in the moment as the next time the same song may not be performed in the same manner. At BSM, they will be inviting local and well known musicians/bands like Gerard Machado to perform. “Every band that is performing will be doing their own style and idea of jazz. There are also jazz standards being performed. This year, we have a lot of women performing. Madhuri Jagadeesh, Shalini Mohan, Midnight Poppies etc all will be performing.” From this event, one can expect a diverse jazz standards, contemporary jazz, fusion with Indian classical music.

Jazz, in namma ooru, says Jagadeesh has evolved slowly but steadily. He adds, “Being an art form, it requires you to focus, pay attention and show consistency. There was a small audience but that too is growing. A lot of young musicians too are taking to the idea of jazz.”

Jagadeesh shares that there are so many upcoming and established artistes that it’s difficult to pick out just one. On what he think is the best instrument that goes with jazz? “There is no one particular instrument. Jazz is being performed on obscure instruments like the Kora from Africa or the Shakuhachi from Japan.

The instruments that initially shaped Jazz are there, but people are finding their voice or expression in new ones.” Jagadeesh shares that for a Jazz artiste, the physical roadblocks was always venues, but today venue today are open to Jazz. The roadblocks are only in one’s mind. “Audiences needs to come with an open and for aspiring artist you must practice, practice and practice,” he concludes.