In November 2011, Unesco suddenly declared April 30 as International Jazz Day. The idea was to promote jazz as a mechanism to unite people from many countries.
That was something that jazz had been doing anyway for years. But to have a day dedicated specially to the genre was the masterstroke. Question is: why April 30, which has no real significance in jazz history, and not April 29, birthday of the legendary American band-leader/ pianist Duke Ellington? Nobody knows.
Anyway, the idea of having events on Jazz Day excited many across the world. In India, Jazz Goa, led by bassist Colin D’Cruz, started the process, and put up a show in 2012. The following year, India's jazz ambassador Louiz Banks began it in Mumbai, inviting the best of talent.
The shows at Blue Frog, Lower Parel, were crammed, and often, latecomers didn't even get a chance to enter. With Blue Frog shuttered, the event has moved to Tata Theatre, Nariman Point, this year. Unlike the free gigs in the past four years, this one is ticketed.
The line-up is amazing. Seven acts featuring 20 musicians. Besides groups led by Banks, guitarists Dhruv Ghanekar and Sanjay Divecha, vocalist Samantha Edwards and keyboardist Anurag Naidu, the bands Black Market and TSM will perform. Drummer Gino Banks and bassist Sheldon D'Silva appear on four of these outfits, and ace vocalist Gary Lawyer will appear with Banks.
This isn't the only Jazz Day bash. In Goa, events are being held at Panjim and Dona Paula. Acclaimed Bengaluru guitarist Gerard Machado will perform with the group Jazz Junction, and there will be lots of young local talent, including 11-year-old saxophonist Enrico Rodrigues.
For its part, music streaming service Saavn is having a three-day online jazz festival from April 28. The history of jazz will be chronicled, and special playlists prepared.
The Mumbai event is already sold out. Many young artistes are being featured. And the evening will feature a mix of styles, from standards and jazz-rock to modern jazz and fusion.
While all this sounds good, the fact is that jazz still has only a niche following in India. The younger audiences go in for pop, metal, hip-hop and electronic dance music besides the latest popular Hindi fare.
Among those who listen to jazz and attend concerts, the preference seems more towards the modern style and fusion. People want wizardry and gimmicks more than technique and soul. Older forms like Dixieland, swing, bebop and cool jazz are heard by a select number of hardcore followers, mostly from the older generation.
With music retail shops shutting, there are no avenues to physically browse through the catalogue. Sales from online shopping outlets are low, and material is downloaded for free.
But India is no exception. This trend has been observed around the world. Yet, there is a chance for those who like the genre. Concerts by International artistes are held often. Events like Jazz Day, Piano Day and Mumbai Drum Day offer different styles. And there is no dearth of young talent.
What we probably need are more workshops, initiatives like the one Saavn has taken or some radio shows dedicated to jazz. The latter seems difficult as most stations stick to Hindi programming.
Yet, from whatever we get, one has to keep the spirit alive. As a genre, jazz is exciting and addictive. So let's not lose hope.
