A lot of us have heard William Galison’s music but never known it to be him. His signature harmonica vibe on the themes of Sesame Street, The Untouchables, Bagdad Café and hundreds of other movie scores, albums and commercials have made him a legend among the global music soundscape being a leading exponent of the jazz harmonica. Here in Bengaluru as part of the William Galison Quartet, the musician played a concert of epic proportions at Windmills Craftworks recently.
In India for the first time, William expresses excitement to be in Bengaluru. Teaming up with Yoshi Waki on bass, Billy Test on piano/keyboard and Darrell Smith on drums and vocals, William brought together an assorted best of jazz standards, sophisticated interpretations of pop and blues classics as well as original compositions in which William sang and played the guitar for a couple of tunes.
On bringing some of the finest from the New York jazz scene to India, the multi-faceted artiste admits that he doesn’t know he represents it but it’s great to showcase it here.
“We’re not trying to swamp people with heady music. We’re playing music that people love and songs they know.”
Looking back, the 57-year-old recalls that his musical journey began when he started studying classical piano as a little boy. “I didn’t get very advanced but it gave me a very solid foundation, especially in my ear because I used to cheat. When I was given music to read, I used to listen very carefully to the teacher playing it and play that piece rather than learning the notations because I didn’t like to read. However, I learnt the fundamentals of reading because it is important. Then I started playing the guitar at the age of eight. I went to music college and that’s where I started taking the harmonica very seriously. The harmonica was something I seemed to have an affinity for. I was the only one I knew who was playing it and that was a boost for my ego. Though now there are many younger players, back then there weren’t many at all. That’s when music really became a part of me.”
So he tells aspiring harmonica players in India to not be limited by the instrument because it has far more potential than most people give it credit for.
“Just because you play harmonica doesn’t mean you shouldn’t study music or learn the theory that the guitar player or saxophone player does. You can apply it to the harmonica. It’s just a funny little instrument because it was invented as a toy and novelty. But strangely enough, it’s a sound that affects people deeply. It may have to do with the very humbleness of it - The fact that almost anybody can afford it. Also when you play the harmonica you are vibrating a very tiny little reed. It’s a sound that has a delicacy to it, as well as an intimacy. It touches people deeply. ”
What’s the one thing he wants his listeners to take away? William says he wants to be a driving force of positivity in the world. “We live in a very dangerous and largely unhappy world. I would like to think that my best qualities can be used positively. Any good musician, when he plays, is searching for truth in a certain way. When you are improvising or interpreting, you are searching for something. I hope that, whether or not I find the harmony I’m looking for, people will see that I’m making a sincere effort and that inspires them. I hope my sense of joy comes through to them.”
In the future, Williams wants to play more than ever before. “I have been playing for a long time. I’ve done some wonderful things and had great opportunities. But I have not performed as much as I would like to. Even though my age tells me I’m getting older, I am telling myself I have a bunch of years before I stop. Just this trip to India is exciting and playing with musicians of the calibre that I’m with is fantastic.”
Can we see an Indian collaboration too? William affirms that he would love to. “I am very humbled by the incredible virtuosity of Indian musicians. I don’t dare to presume that I can hold my own in that context because I don’t understand it, though I thoroughly enjoy it. But if there’s something I can do with my limited understanding of the music, and if they can meet me halfway and enter my world, I think it’ll be very exciting. The sound will be great and maybe something new and unusual can be brought out.”
