The cultural tapestry of Bengaluru is about to be infused with the rich, rhythmic undertones of jazz, as enthusiasts prepare to welcome what is poised to be an enchanting assembly of talent at the upcoming World Jazz Festival. Curated by Mahesh Babu, whose love affair with jazz has orchestrated this musical spectacle, the event billows out as a global homage to jazz’s everlasting influence. Jazz virtuosos from Europe to the United States align under one banner, sharing an endearing bond with Mahesh Babu and his wife Nandini, who embarked on their journey with Banyan Tree in 1996.
Banyan Tree, this labor of love, has been the origin point for an array of classical, folk, and Sufi concerts over its impactful 28-year existence. It was merely four years ago that the couple decided to branch out into the realm of jazz, joining forces with the seasoned Netherlands-based Amersfoort Jazz Festival. “There is a demand in India for all kinds of jazz — old school and new age,” Mahesh muses, believing in the transcendent nature of the genre that continues to evolve yet remains steeped in tradition.
As the World Jazz Festival makes its round through five cities, it notably designs an experience for the senior citizens in Dehradun, celebrating the timeless appeal of jazz which resonates with the young and the old alike. After its inaugural stint there last year, the overwhelming adoration expressed by the audience could only result in an encore this year. The festival will span across Delhi, Bangalore, Bombay, and its ultimate act in Pune.
The festival’s lineup comes to life through a synergistic, six-month long brainstorming process involving consultations with European partners and Alexander Beets, a director of the Amersfoort Festival. This avid exchange of ideas ensures that the artist roster imbues both freshness and reverence in each edition. The Amersfoort Festival itself is a venerated institution, celebrating its 45th year of hosting open-air jazz performances that have become a cultural staple.
The Bengaluru leg of the World Jazz Fest is set to serve up a diverse platter of performances from artists hailing from regions such as South Africa, the United States, and the Netherlands. Among them is Guitar Prasanna, a jazz maestro with a flair for Carnatic music, lending an east-meets-west dynamism to the proceedings.
Two poignant tributes are to be paid, honoring the legacies of jazz greats John Coltrane and Horace Silver. These will punctuate the event alongside other captivating acts like the Tom Van der Zaal Quintet, the Chi Quartet, South African Jazz Legacy, and the New York Round Midnight Orchestra. A special chapter of the evening will be ensconced in jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, reviving the echo of New York in the halcyon days of the 1950s.
The ensemble performances promise not only to be a feast for devout jazz admirers but equally a captivating encounter for the uninitiated. “Even someone who doesn’t know about this genre, will enjoy the lineup,” assures Mahesh.
Mark your calendars for April 19, as the Chowdiah Memorial Hall becomes the nexus of this grand jazz odyssey. Those eager to indulge in this audio-visual banquet, paced by the heartbeats of jazz, can secure their passage through BookMyShow.com. The World Jazz Festival beckons, promising an evening that intertwines the heartstrings of Bangalore with the soul-stirring vibrations of jazz from across the globe.
