Earlier this week, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, and musician Louis Banks curated a special evening for jazz lovers on the occasion of International Jazz Day on April 30. From Ustad Zakir Hussain, Vinay Kaushal, Sanjay Divecha and Isheeta Chakravarty to Gino Banks, Clement Rooney, Rohan Ganguly and many more, the event featured some of the finest musicians and singers in the country. Here, Banks, often called the ‘godfather of Indian jazz’, tells Indrani Bose how it’s the most democratic of all music genres and why it resonates with today’s youth. Edited excerpts:
Jazz is undergoing an identity crisis globally. What is the scene in India?
I would not call it a crisis…. nobody and nothing can take away the essence of jazz because it permeates through all shields. Jazz is the most democratic and free (form of) music in the universe… it can bend and fuse with any kind of music globally and, due to that intriguing quality, it can go undetected in all genres of music, provoking the feeling that jazz, in the traditional way, is not heard any more. Hence, the “identity crisis” perception among conservative listeners. In actuality, jazz is everywhere… in varying degrees of impact… but it will take an educated, sophisticated and enlightened ear to perceive it. To sum it up, there’s no crisis. Jazz is bigger than ever.
Have the audience response and attendance changed over the years for jazz concerts?
Yes, in a way. It has declined to an extent mainly because times have changed. It’s a fast moving world today and survival is crucial for everybody… and to make time available to sit back and enjoy a scintillating jazz performance is a luxury very few can afford. I feel all these factors have an indirect role to play towards minimal attendance at jazz concerts. Plus, the onslaught of commercial music has adversely impacted serious listening, but all is not lost. Jazz is very much there as today’s youth have taken a fascination for it and its intriguing qualities.
Who is your favourite jazz musician and why?
I have many favourites, but the few who have influenced my jazz playing and thinking are Oscar Peterson, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, among many others who have influenced a whole generation of musicians. I keep listening to old and newer artists, and get amazed at the virtuosity of these musicians. That is what is keeping jazz alive today.
How has your journey been in jazz so far?
It began 40 years ago and it’s stronger than ever mainly because I kept evolving with its changing development. My mantra is move with the times, stay ahead and be on the top of the game. That mantra has solidified my belief in jazz and music in general, and my journey of discovery continues, as I go on composing new material and performing it at concerts. The day I stop is when I am knocking on heaven’s door…
Who are some new jazz musicians whom we need to look out for, globally and in India?
Camila Meza, Connie Han, Veronica Swift, Jaimie Branch, Jonathan Barber, Chris Beck, among other exciting new talent globally. In India, we have Gino Banks, Sheldon D’Silva, Mohini Dey, Anurag Naidu, Vasundhara, Andrew Kanga, Rhythm Shaw, Ron Cha, to name a few.
