It is with tremendous pride that we launch the new website today on children's day and it is a fitting tribute to the boy who gave the first sparks to this beautiful movement called Heritage Jazz with his amazing videos, which helped us reach out to the world and tell them something interesting. He surprised me then with his dexterity in handling a video camera at the age of 7, and I almost did a double take when he sat on my lap and conjured up something...Read More...

I am thankful to God for the tremendous lift that He has given the jazz movement in Goa, and I am delighted to have been in a position to give...Read More...

I never really imagined that there would have been so much of jazz ac­tion right in the beginning ofthe year and here we are with more than a fair share of good luck. With Dennis Rollins having created a stir at the La Marvel Colony on Saturday, we were delighted that we could have taken the live jazz scene that much fur­ther with Caetano Filipe Colaco, his family and so many of the distin­guished families in the pre­mier colony...Read More...

Starting off the journey as early as December 2001 when I as going through terrible personal crisis, jazz has grown virtually into the flavour of this season and credit mst go to so many people who backed the cause so fully. I used to be part and parcel of the entertainment industry way back in the late 80’s when my company Trancemedia use to organize rock events as well as then-famous Junk Car Rally during Carnival.

Films, Films, Films . you have seen the lot. Now it is time for Cool Jazz! That was the punch line that was used by us for the Heritage Jazz Yatra held last Sunday in Panjim. Actually, this line should go much further than just jazz. It is now time for music, something that is part and parcel of our culture, our roots and so much that we live for.

The Heritage Jazz Yatra that was held on Sunday 23 January was a runaway success what with over four hundred people a thronging the leafy street at Gonsalves Mansion, It Campal to witness world IS class jazz in the form of .e saxophonist George Brooks, guitarist and singer Leni Stern, drummer Sunny y Jain, saxophonist Steve Welsh and double bassist Gary Wang, all from the United States of America.

The Heritage Jazz Yatra at Gonsalves Mansion was wonderful in so many ways. It is obvious that it was exhilarating in musical terms what with George Brooks, Leni Stern, Sunny Jain, Steve Welsh and Gary Wong dish­ing out top quality jazz that every­one enjoyed so much.

Last weekend was a wonderful one for jazz and I am pleasantly surprised at the tremendous response that is there for live music in Goa. I guess Goans always wanted to have informal settings for their music which probably comes down from the times when Goan houses had their own per­sonal band stands.

It was a satisfying and stunning day at the third edition of the Heritage Jazz Yatra at Gonsalves Mansion simply be­cause of the quality of music that was dished out by a wide range of musicians from all over.

When I met Rui Lobo few days back at a cybercafe, I was really delighted to note that the grassroots devel­opment that we have been talking of for some time, now is actually taking off. Lots of talented people have got down to teaching; and more and more youngsters are ·taking to differ­ent instruments in a bid to solidify our status as the music capital of India.

I can never forget the time my son Nihal Gonsalves de­cided to take up playing the recorder instead of the piano last year. I was quite surprised at his choice simply because playing a wind instrument is not so common any­more in Goa. Probing deeper, I realised, much to my delight that he had chosen it because of the overwhelming dominance of wind instruments at the Heritage Jazz and oth­er shows that we organ­ise.

At a week where my duties as a father superceded everything else due to Ganesh holidays, writing would have become the first casualty if not for the fact that my children themselves rekindled the line that is the core of my column. About development of music at the grass roots, and amongst the children and youngsters of Goa.

The "Farewell' Tala" show wa,s a non starter due to the heavy rains in Mumbai which threw everything out of gear at the physical realm. However, what gained the most was the power behind the emo­tions as well as the love that exists within the mu­sic fraternity.

When we organ­ised 'Jazz by the Beach' recently, friends from all over called up to express dismay as to what happened to the Her­itage Jazz Yatra, which sur­prised me since that is one show we plan to take all over Goa.

As the decks are cleared for Jazz Goa's next show on the 28th of August, we look back with satisfaction and realise that the jazz family is clearly on the way. People have been calling with support from here, there and everywhere and in many ways, the founda­tion is being laid on solid ground. Musicians are thrilled, the audience too..... Could we ask for more at this stage?

From the Jazz Greats show held on November 12 at my home in Cam­pal to the Jazz Ablaze event held at the Highway Village in Porvorim last weekend, it is obvious that something all jazz lovers have been wait­ing for has come down to ‘terra firma'.

Many years ago when on visit to the Continent and more specifically, the south of France, I realized what really made Goa tick. There is natural beauty everywhere in the world with breathtaking landscapes all over. Even back home, when you travel as close as even the North of Goa, in Maharashtra, you could possibly find better beaches than what we possess. However, what is that special thing that makes Goa as special as can be? Could that answer be far?

Goa is so full of joie de vivre that it should be obvious that the entertainment industry is a well organized one. With song and dance coming so naturally to a Goan, could the organization of the same be difficult?

In just a few weeks, Jazz Goa has got itself firmly in the saddle of the live music platform in Goa. And we have God to thank since, very often, whatever on does just does not take off and you can well imagine why that happens!

The last weekend of the month and the show that everyone waits for is back again this friday the 27th. In order to have a great fusion weekend, Jazz goa is bringing in S. Harikumar on Indian violin along with H. Subramanium to experiment with jazz greats such as Jazzy Joe on saxophone, clarinet and violin, and Mark Nunes on western violin. to add to the excitement, blues harp player, Mumbai based Clifford Pereira will also be joining in with his solo harp...Read More...

My weekend last evening was interesting as i had the pleasure of meeting Jazzy Joe, India's leading saxophonist. My very first meeting with him was a revelation and something to cheer about simply because there was so much optimism in his step and so much of youth in that frame of 77 years. Who says that Goan musicians don't give their mite to the industry? We have so many stalwarts who contineously support the live cause all the time. Their dedication to the industry that they care for so...Read More...

It has been a long time that I have written in these columns, and, did I miss the good thing? Of course I did but here I am with an enthusiasm that will take me through the fledgling season with a new vigour.

As the last but most exciting days of 2005 draw to a close, it would be nice to delve into the spirit of things happening around us, of our lovely Goa and it’s wonderful musicians that have made us proud all these years, of the camaraderie and bonhomie that is there in the music industry here.

As a year goes by, there is so much that goes by too, emotionally and otherwise, and it is obviously time for thanksgiving that so much good has taken place all year through. And, whatever may be the drawbacks, good always prevails, or so we must always try to think.

Many years ago when on visit to the Continent, and more specifically the south of France, I realized what really made Goa tick. Natural beauty exists everywhere, with breathtaking landscapes all over. Even back home, when you travel as close as even the North of Goa, in Maharashtra, you find better beaches than what we possess. However, what is that special thing that makes Goa as special as can be? Could that answer be far?

The start of this season has been one heaven of an experience for me, with two fabulous shows put up by four fantastic bands, and it has really been a pleasure to work with such creative people so closely. More than that, the love and affection shown by the music loving people of Goa has been fantastic with even the musicians constantly telling me that it is a great pleasure to perform in our lovely state.

The Heritage Jazz Yatra has been an emotional journey for all of us with jazz close to their hearts and when we did not have an edition for more than a year, there was a quiet discontent brewing among the die hards.