All that Jazz

For many musicians the fact that it encompasses such a wide variety of sounds is what makes it so special, and inspires them.

Update: 2019-10-17 18:30 GMT
Sanaea Bubber

Every era, every decade and currently, every year has its own kind of music. Art movements define generations of music-making and tastes of listeners across the globe. In a time of regular change, Jazz is a genre that persists.

It continues to breathe in the cultural make-up of society and breathe out a beautiful rendition of it. Jazz, in its improvised poetry, speaks to you. And the sensibilities that lend an ear to jazz music are amplified in musicians who make it.

 “Chennai is still developing its taste for Jazz. It is difficult in Chennai to introduce people to a genre like jazz because very surprisingly, Bollywood is preferred more here.” says Sanaea Bubber, one of the artistes performing at the TMJF (The Madras Jazz Festival).

“I’ve always been into music, but I never had the liking for Jazz as a child because I had never been introduced to it. My music teacher in Mumbai was heavenly into Jazz. Even at that time while I was under her I didn’t much care for the genre but I learned more by watching her perform than her actually teaching me,” adds Sanaea.

For many musicians the fact that it encompasses such a wide variety of sounds is what makes it so special, and inspires them.

Brian Molley known as the ‘Brian Molley Quartet’ has been the musical output of Jaaz since 2012 who is also performing in the city. He says, “Our shows have always referenced a broad range of musical styles and this is something we always try to achieve on stage.”

 “I think our brand of jazz has something for all members of the audience, from high energy modern jazz to more sensitive ballads. Our music has influences from Scotland, Brazil and of course from India, we even have a few Disney themes included. I’ve written especially for this tour including a piece based on a Tamil folk song, hopefully, something for everyone,” explains Brian.

Maarten Visser, another Jazz artiste says, “Jazz is a music that is loved at the most by some people. Most of the time, people find it boring. As a musician I’m open to all the responses.” Visser is currently composing new work for saxophone solo - his second saxophone solo production, an experimental production with a visual artiste, and music for the performance of a film project with Indian choreographer Padmini Chettur, called Varnam.

Thus the legacy of jazz is filled with tension and resolution in different societies of the world reflected in music traditions.

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