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Jazz Goa with its fifth concert has become a monthly musical event drawing music lovers, performers and listeners, from all over India and overseas to a cosy nook in Campal which comes alive with dancing lights, invigorating music and people in the long veranda that runs along the Armand Gonsalves’ mansion and in the tree-enriched road frontage. Crisp barbequed chicken and pizza with a wide range of liquid motivation keep the spirits high. But it is the quality and variety of the performances that fire the love for jazz.
The recent concert on Friday evening stretched into the night and spilled over into morning with the music making gaining momentum as the hours rolled by unnoticed and the music flowed into the hearts of the devotees. This concert was a treat for all tastes. Three violinists, two saxophonists, a trumpeter and top female vocalists kept the pace at a high pitch – music live, hot and improvised. People just coming together and launching into inventive interaction spontaneously, generating excitement that is indescribable. It’s something felt and lived to the full and remembered long after.
S Harikumar and H Subramanium ignited the evening with their violin-and-ghatam duo reaching a high point with their fusion session with Colin D’Cruz on fretless electric bass, Lester Godinho on drums and Jazzy Joe on tenor sax and clarinet. Mr Harikumar carried the torch of his relative and guru, L Subramanium. Jerry Fernandes, the winner of the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award, enchanted with his violin wizardry, the old fingers still weaving the old magic.
Jazzy Joe, bandleader in the 60’s at Calcutta ’s legendary Blue Fox, touching 80, has the stamina and the tonal power and richness that will make a young saxophonist breathless just to hear him perform. Music flows out of him like a bottomless honeypot – sweet, rich, golden and satisfying.
And it spreads to everyone around him, inspiring them to surrender totally to music making. Dr. K. J. Singh, a keen saxophonist from Mumbai/Pune and Chagas on the trumpet injected a solid brassy quality to the evening.
Hema Sardessai, the celebrated playback singer, wrapped her glorious voice around “Black Velvet” as only she can – memorably. Belinda Oliveira added her own brand of exquisiteness. Our young upcoming singing sensation, Veaam Braganza also delighted the audience. Dwayne (violin) and Gary and Kirk (piano) represented youthful inputs. Elaine D’Souza sang intensely. The evening was dedicated to the memory of her father, Michael Frederick, a jazz lover and pianist. Stanley Pinto, ex- managing director of Lintas Advertising, caressed the keys into loving melodies and composed a song in memory of Michael.
It is difficult to put together a show with such variety and class; here, it just happens. Our Goan regulars, George Fernandes, Colin D’Cruz and Lester Godinho, gifted , versatile musicians provided the strong support that was the key to the evening’s success. They play in any genre, always responding with the appropriate mix of sonic spice. The featured performers have their shining glory but these musicians made the evening pulse, rock, shine and catch fire. Jazz Goa lives, grows and thrives because it showcases musicians of calibre in an atmosphere of sharing music.
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