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Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Soul Food (anti-clockwise) Ramamani, Jake Fryer, Karl Peters and The “Chet Baker Tribute”

Nine performances were packed into three days, bringing together around 30 musicians. The festival proved that Jazz is a celebration of life. It showed that it is a continuum, linking generations and connecting countries.

The festival must be congratulated for proving that Jazz is as Jazz does. Jake Fryer & The London Bebop Collective brandished bebop manoeuvres. The Chet Baker Tribute from Norway impressed with melodic harmonies. Ramamani with Amit Heri Trio defined Indian Jazz. Wanny with Ba Babanga demonstrated the union of Indian, American and African Jazz.

Speaking to the artists a common thread becomes noticeable. They all started young. And music has been their wellspring for inspiration and sustenance since then. Jake Fryer started playing the piano at age six. He took to the clarinet at age eight. Per Husby, from Norway, learnt the piano, as a child, from his father. Just as Sonia Saigal took to singing from her mother - famous Jazz musician Jenny.

If improvisation is the essence of Jazz, then these musicians did just that. Per Husby, from Norway, who gave a tribute to Chet Baker says, “We play in Chet’s spirit. He thought in melody. He made things simple. We play his tunes in that spirit.” Ba-Babanga, from Cameron, added “spice” to Wanny’s Central Amrican lilts. Ramamani, one of the leading Indian Classical musicians who has collaborated with international artistes understands improvisation the best. She says, “The best thing is how different experiences come together and move apart.”

The tickets were all sold out. Lines snaked outside the gate but resources continue to be strained. While the festival lasts only three days, the preparation started from February-March. It might have been born 20 years ago, but sponsors still remain scarce. With limited resources, the utsav still has to rely on embassies and high commissions to bring in bands from across the border. While this does bring international bands to India, T. R. Ramakrishnan, a member of the organisation, says that some of the main bands are too big to be part of this cultural network and thus become harder to access.

While there seems to be plenty of Jazz talent in India, the musicians themselves have different opinions on the Jazz scene here . Wanny, from Honduras, performs weekly at a Delhi restaurant, with a voice like a prayer. She believes that the Jazz environment in Delhi has high potential. “People relate to the music, if you are honest,” she says. Sonia Saigal, one of the leading Indian Jazz singers, however feels, “There is enough talent. But not enough appreciation.” She adds, “The West is more receptive to Indian music than we are to Jazz.” Amit Heri is of a different opinion, “There are not enough artistes. There are good artistes but those are few.” Amit Saigal, of RSJ believes, “Potentially there is a large audience, especially with the connection between Indian Classical music and Jazz. But there are few opportunities.” Ramamani is optimistic, “Two decades ago, there were not enough opportunities. Now it is improving slowly.” But finally, this utsav proved that while Jazz might have originated in America, this musical art belongs to us all. And it is definitely at home in Delhi.

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