Delhi gets ready to jazz it up

For all Jazz lovers in the Capital, there is some good news. After last year’s success, the city will again host the Delhi Jazz Festival which will start on March 16 and conclude on March 18.

The fest is being organised by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and a cultural organisation, Seher. In its second edition, the festival will feature bands from across the globe, including Wojtek Mozolewski Quintet from Poland, HFT from India, The Louiz Banks Matrixx from India, Eol Trio from France, Magos Herrera from Mexico, Dini Virsaladze Quartet from Georgia and Bica-Daerr-Stick Trio from Germany.

“The success of the first International Jazz festival last year, which was witnessed by about 10,000 people, established that the youth of Delhi appreciates Jazz, a fact which wasn’t understood before,” says Suresh Goel, director general, ICCR.

“Jazz has continuously and consistently evolved into music that stands as tall as classical music in its depth and range of musicality and virtuosity, mainly because it is music that is shaped and moulded by liberated and free-thinking musicians, with immense creative and innovative ideas,” says jazz musician Louiz Banks.

For the members of the performing bands, the festival provides a perfect platform for lovers of their music. “When you examine the world of jazz you will find a culture and a model that has been, and remains a hot bed of innovation. Over the past hundred years, jazz musicians have been striving to ‘get different.’ The culture has them continuously seeking answers to questions like how they can come up with something different from others or how they can be different from their peers, and be recognised as unique,” says Suchet, a member of the group HFT. “Like a business seeking to stand out, if jazz musicians are to succeed at standing apart, they must find answers to these questions in real ways, that can be implemented and yet be impactful,” he adds.

SCHEDULEFriday, March 16, 2012:7pm onwardsWojtek Mozolewski Quintet (Poland)HFT (India)The Louiz Banks Matrixx (India)

Saturday, March 17, 2012:7pm onwardsDini Virsaladze Quartet (Georgia)MoonArra (India)EOL Trio (France)

Sunday, March 18, 2012:7pm onwardsMagos Herrera (Mexico)Bica-Daerr-Stick Trio (Germany)Elkano Browning Cream (Spain)

FACT FILEWhat: Delhi Jazz Festival When: March 16-March 18 Timing: 7pm onwardsWhere: Nehru Park, Vinay Marg, ChanakyapuriNearest Metro Station: Race Course on the Yellow Line