Delivering sound impressions

Jazz comes calling all the way from Scotland with the Brian Molley Quartet grooving it out this weekend

June 01, 2017 04:16 pm | Updated June 02, 2017 12:03 pm IST

The world of jazz has always had its allure with the signature session standards, off-beat rhythms and improvised melodies. But the most defining instrument in jazz is the saxophone and nobody quite wields the wind instrument to hit those jazz notes as expertly as Scottish saxophonist and composer Brian Molley.

Brought to Bengaluru in association with the Madras Jazz Festival, the contemporary jazz musician will be playing with the Brian Molley Quartet alongside Tom Gibbs on piano, Mario Caribé on bass and Stuart Brown on drums. Performing original compositions by Brian, the quartet plays an impressive set that promises to keep your feet tapping to the fresh sound.

Not new to Bengaluru, Brian recalls that they had come to the music capital in 2015 to perform at Windmills Craftworks. “We are looking forward to playing again for Bengaluru’s audience. We have visited India twice in the past and had a great time on both trips visiting several cities, meeting lots of friendly people and discovering the fantastic culture.”

In the country primarily for the Madras Jazz Festival, the quartet hopes to make its presence heard in Chennai for the first time. “We hope to make new friends and carry back fresh memories of great music with new audiences,” says an excited Brian.

Eclectic mix

He goes on to point out that there is a wide repertoire of music that they play. “It is an eclectic mix of jazz and world music, designed to draw the audience in to the show. I hope that audiences will enjoy this musical experience with us and appreciate everything we present from high energy Brazilian grooves to more subtle soulful ballads.”

At the heart of their music, Brian says is his own innate curiosity. “I have always had a very strong inclination towards new music. Whenever we travel, I always try to learn about new, indigenous music and try to play with local musicians. That is one of the reasons why this is such an exciting project for us and our partners British Council and Creative Scotland, who are behind this element of our experience.”

The multi-faceted artiste, who started playing the saxophone at high school when he was 11 and took to it almost instantly, says he knew very early on that he wanted to become a musician. “My musical journey so far has been varied. Before I began this project in 2013, I worked as a freelance musician in a variety of musical settings, from contemporary classical music playing in orchestras to small group modern jazz. This quartet has seen us travel out to perform around the globe. We have just released our second album and continue to develop as an ensemble, growing in each performance.”

New frontiers

Looking ahead, Brian says they would love to continue travelling, exploring new musical cultures and developing new collaborations. “I find that a very rewarding way to live as a musician.” Summing up what jazz means to him, the virtuosic musician says: “Jazz is a big part of my life as a musician and I’ve spent a lot of time studying it. It’s such a big subject that you are always finding new things to check out and learn. Jazz always makes a rich musical expression.”

Catch the Brian Molley Quartet live at bFlat, Indiranagar, on June 4 from 8 pm onwards. For details Call 25278361.

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