Groovy music, a cultural melange and all that jazz

A jazz aficionado, whose passion for the genre made him launch a jazz club in Kolkata, Munir Mohanty initially expected an older audience. However, he was in for a sweet surprise. "It has been thrilling to see that the crowd is not just 40 or 50 years old. Almost half are between 20 to 30 years of age. If they didn't like jazz, they wouldn't be coming. There’s a certain inclusivity in jazz," said Mohanty, co-founder, Skinny Mo's Jazz Club. Amar Sukhi, an amateur saxophonist and founder of the Mumbai-based, The BlueBop Cafe, agrees, “The younger generation, to my complete and happy surprise, has taken to jazz like ducks to water.” Once considered niche, jazz has been making its presence felt more than ever. On the occasion of the International Jazz Day, here’s looking at the current jazz scene in India and where it’s headed.

Since its introduction in the 1920s through its popularity in the 60s, jazz has been gradually cementing its base among an increasing number of takers. What started from being a star-hotel staple for the elites, trickled down to restaurants and clubs. From the British era to the post-Independence jazz, its blend with the Indian classical music and Bollywood, to the cross-cultural influences and the more diverse nature today, jazz in India only seems to be growing. Increase in the number of venues, and dedicated jazz fests are proof. “Earlier, the spectrum of people tended to be narrowed down into the upper-tier. But accessibility to jazz has grown tremendously. When we restarted our jazz gigs in 2021, the democratisation of jazz gave rise to multiple venues in Kolkata,” said Anand Puri, the third-generation owner of Kolkata-based Trincas, which has had a relationship with live gigs since the 60s, with legendary performers marking their presence. The popularity can also be linked to jazz’s improvisational aspect that helps it blend with other genres like pop, classical, rock, and electronica. It’s this free-spirited nature that keeps jazz relevant. “Since jazz is such an improvised style, it’s something to be experienced live. No one style is alike. No two gigs by a jazz artiste are the same. Jazz fests, theater hall shows, sit-down jazz gigs, and active listening sessions, are becoming a thing for the keen listener,” said Pune-based Vinay Kaushal, guitar player and music composer.

One of the aspects that’s making jazz tick boxes is the lack of geographical limitations and the essence of multiculturalism. Musicians and jazz propagators from cities like Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa and Delhi, are on the quest to find their individual style and rhythm to keep listeners hooked. “My band and I usually perform a mix of contemporary and classic jazz, and try to keep the arrangements exciting. We also add a few funk, and pop jazz tunes that are familiar to the audience,” said Mumbai-based Zian B, a jazz artiste and vocal coach, who performs across cities with her band Zian B Collective.

"The attentive audience, understated ambience, great sounding room, signature music, and the option to play with a solid house-band attracts a host of high quality acts and artistes from around the world that speak the language of jazz . We are able to present the audience with eclectic musical styles, and energies from the likes of Grammy winners and virtuoso drummer,” said Jonathan Furtado, jazz bass player, and jazz curator at the Goa-based, The Flying Goat that has hosted renowned jazz artistes from across the world, including Darshan Doshi, Mark Hartsuch, Lars Moller, Shirish Malhotra and Shariq Tucker, for its monthly special Jazz Odyssey, apart from the weekly jazz nights.
What makes jazz more vibrant is that there’s something for everyone. “If listeners give it a go, there's something for every listener. The lines between modern day blues, R&B, Hip Hop, and jazz are so blurred (in a great way) that people are more and more exposed to jazz styles, whether they're aware of it or not,” said Vinay Kaushal, guitar player and music composer. Inquisitiveness towards unique sounds, is also paving a path towards a promising future. “We are getting called to international fests because of the uniqueness of the sound we are bringing. It’s not traditional New York City or New Orleans jazz. The bands that are getting called, have a sound which is native to our land,” said Sayar Mitra, bass player and music educator, who performed at a recently held Cape Town International Jazz Festival with Bombay Lights, which fuses Indian classical with jazz and funk.