Belinda Oliviera

A rain-drenched and yet superb show. Accomplished jazz musicians forming one of the best Jazz assemblies in the country regaled the audience at Gonsalves Mansion , Campal, Goa , this evening, in a charity concert for jazz vocalist Belinda Olivera who is fighting a battle against cancer.

Belinda's wonderful voice has been admired by jazz lovers in the country as well as in America . Among the jazz legends who performed at the benefit event were Braz Gonsalves, Louis Banks, Yvonne Gonsalves, Frank Dubia, Lester Godinho, Suzzie, Sheldon Luis, Amit Heri, Gino Banks and others.

To heighten the ambience even further the Gonsalves Gallery was thrown open so that the gathering could enjoy the paintings by contemporary Goan artists Suhas Shilkar, Harshada Kerkar, Mohan Naik and Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwal. The evening also saw an auction in which Belinda's caricature by Alexyz, a painting by Deviprasad Rao and coupons by Wendell Rodricks went under the hammer.

This is what Armando Gonsalves had to say about this wonderful jazz artiste:

“Belinda Oliveira has regaled audiences all over the world and we too have heard so much of her, the last of which was at my home during one of the home jazz events held last year. Emotional it was too, simply because we had the pleasure of having with us her now late father, Remy Oliveira, who was a stunning pianist of his time. It was heartening to note then, that he made it a point to be present for the show just to show solidarity with the jazz cause, something which was dear to his heart. Being around 92 and frail in flesh but absolutely more than willing in spirit, I remember how all present were thrilled to have a man of his stature in our midst and to know that he supported jazz and jazz musicians of today with a heart that was as open as could be.

”It was also nice to know that Belinda, who was then having a highway run at the jazz clubs in America, decided to give up all that, just to be here in Goa to care for her father whom she loved so much. Obviously, father and daughter were given a standing ovation for the emotional punch that they packed, and all of us were in awe of the overwhelming spirit that was so evident. However, never did we or could we ever realize that a few months later, not only would Remy breathe his last but Belinda too would be battling for her life, all in a depressingly short period of time.

Let us put our hands and hearts together for Belinda. Jazz in Goa will be richer with her life.”

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 Gerard Machado

Gerard Machado has a unique style of playing the guitar which is a blend of jazz, rock and blues. His music adds just the right note to any artistic evening. Not too surprising then that this fine musician has music in his blood. Born to a musical family Gerard began playing at the tender age of six. Today he is an accomplished and versatile guitarist. So special is his brand of music that those who hear and see him perform say he takes their breath away with his live performances.

Gerard is also a fine composer and has recorded many jingles. He has worked with many famous musicians for several years in India and abroad. This maestro has conducted jazz workshops, scored the music for an English feature film, has performed at Jazz Yatras and naturally has featured on local and national television networks. He leads his own versatile band Network described as the ‘undisputed kings of Jazz in Bangalore ’, and he has also recorded several gospel albums. He has done it all! But wait, there’s more…

He co-leads the Carnatic-Jazz fusion band Megha, which has released two albums marketed in Australia and New Zealand . His band Network, has released an album titled Spectrum which is being marketed by Crescendo Music Company.

The Gerard Machado Network has talented show stoppers, remembered for their performances at the Jazz Yatras. They enthrall all music lovers with their repertoire of Jazz with swing, funk, Latin rhythms and Carnatic fusion. They leave their audiences spellbound with their distinctive brand of music. Big mistake to laze at home and miss their shows…

To Gerard Machado music means everything in life: love, satisfaction, a form of expression and an outlet to innovate.

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Harikumar

S Harikumar is at ease with his seven-string electric violin. Besides Indian classical music, Harikumar has also learned the nuances of western music. This has helped him evolve a fusion genre, which he calls Indian jazz fusion. He is an outstanding young violinist from Thiruvananthapuram and a disciple and torch bearer of violin maestro L Subramaniam. This amazing jazz violinist has recorded two solo albums: Breathtaker, and a jazz fusion album and Janaranjini, a Carnatic album.

The sheer brilliance of this magician on the violin, and his breathtaking fiddle playing is sure to mesmerize the audience and be the highlight of any festival.

Visit www.hariviolin.com

 

 

S Harikumar seen with legendary violinist Jean Luc Ponty in London September 2007. Will they be performing together soon? Maybe we should request Harikumar to make that happen.

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Kadri Gopalnath

A native of Dakshina Kannada, Kadri Gopalnath was born in 1950 to Shri Thaniappa and Shrimathi Gangamma. Music was part of his every day routine as his father was a Nagaswaram Vidwan of Pane Mangalore, and Kadri began training in Nagaswaram from an early age, but destiny had a different story for Kadri Gopalnath. He saw the saxophone played in the Mysore Palace Band Set. Thrilled on hearing the vibrant tone of saxophone he decided to master it. It took twenty years for him to conquer the complex wind instrument and he was eventually crowned “Saxophone Chakravarthy”.

Gopalnath learnt playing Carnatic Music on the Saxophone under Gopalakrishna Iyer of Kalanikethana, Mangalore, His dedication and tireless efforts enabled him to imbibe all the nuances of Carnatic Music and the Sax.

When he came in contact with versatile T.V.Gopalakrishnan of Madras, the latter identified the youngster’s potential and chissled into an internationally famed artiste. Gopalnath humbly acknowledges the fact that it is the blessings of his Guru that is responsible for his success.

His maiden performance was the Chembai Memorial Trust at Madras . It was a roaring success. Since then Gopalnath has never looked back, performing in all prestigious sabhas in India and abroad.

As if this were not enough, Gopalnath is a genuinely sweet guy. His charming personality has won him innumerable friends all over. He is disciplined in his habits.

Press Reviews:

He plays compositions meant for the nagaswaram, anaboc like double reed instruments.
- International Herald Tribune

Kadri’s prowess and skill in handling the saxophone to convey the nuances of Carnatic Music was really encouraging to watch. Despite the fact that the saxophone is a brass instrument and lacks the mellifluous timbre of the traditional nagaswaram, Kadri was able to produce such a rich variety of musical cadences.
- Daily News, Colombo

His soft, legato flurries meshed perfectly in an unusual grouping of violin, Jew’s harp and Mridangam drum.
- The Times, London

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Jonas Hellborg

With that kind of a name how could Jonas Hellborg be anything but flamboyant? He’s a rock musician who created a special jazz with improvisational daring and originality. A product of Sweden of early 1980 vintage, his command of his instrument has been made all the more startling by his rock or punk stage presence. His slap technique, his lead lines, and his revolutionary chordal approach all served to extend his instrument’s potential.

Jonas taught himself to play the bass at the age of 12 and was deeply influenced by the rock greats of his time – Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Deep Purple. He played mainly blues and Heavy Rock until 1972 when he heard the Mahavishnu Orchestra’s album The Inner Mounting Flame. When he was 16 Hellborg began a formal music career in jazz and classical music.

His techniques were strange to say the least, but the music he made left no one unmoved.

He stressed that he was a bass guitarist, rather than an electric bassist, but some of the techniques he was incorporating transcended guitar, too. The wider chords, for example, pointed toward a keyboard-like role for the bass.

Dissatisfied with the various rock groups he had been touring with, Hellborg turned to more challenging music and solo concerts. In 1981, he was invited to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Michael Brecker was impressed by Hellborg's playing there and introduced him to many of the jazz greats including his long-time idol John McLaughlin. Hellborg sent him some tapes of his music.

In 1982 Hellborg created his own record label, Day Eight, in order to allow himself and others to record with full artistic freedom. The first record was Hellborg's first solo bass release, The Bassic Thing. In May 1983, Hellborg joined avant-garde pianist Michael J Smith and drummer Michael Shrieve (of Santana fame) to record Day Eight's second release, All Our Steps

In 1984, at the start of Mahavishnu's US tour, Michael Shrieve introduced Hellborg to Bill Laswell. At the time Laswell was recording Deadline's Down By Law, and invited Hellborg to play on it. The next year Laswell dug Ginger Baker out of retirement in Italy , and had him play on PIL's new record. Passing through New York on tour again Hellborg also contributed to this album entitled Album.

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Mattias IA Eklundh

Hailing from Sweden , Mattias IA Eklundh first began playing guitar at age 13, finding inspiration in the work of musical non-conformists, Frank Zappa and KISS. He refers to them as “my main guys and are still inspiring to me”. They were unconventional. Zappa was all abut humor, enormous skills, and complexity of his music while KISS was just a sledge-hammer and Eklundh continues to love both. That duplicity of sounds, approaches and philosophy has heavily influenced how he writes and records music.

Besides his solo work, which includes 1999's Freak Guitar, and numerous sonic explorations with his group, Freak Kitchen, Eklundh's innovative guitar work has been heard on such records as Guitar Odyssey-A Tribute To Yngwie Malmsteen and Warmth in the Wilderness-A Tribute To Jason Becker. He's also created several guitar instructional DVDs for the Japanese market including "Hyper Freak Exercise" and "Super Virtuosity."

Covering one of hard rock's most enduring classics, "Smoke On The Water" is a treacherous proposition for even the most seasoned musician. Yet Eklundh's up for the challenge, turning the song on its ear, reinventing this quintessential metal masterpiece. "I can't believe I actually had the nerve to cover 'Smoke On The Water' (laughs). That's the song a guitar player should never cover. But my neighbor, a fifteen-year old kid, heard it for the first time and played it for me insanely loud and I rediscovered it. I said, 'maybe it'll be cool to try and imitate the phrasing of the vocals with my guitar and use plenty of natural harmonics'.

MEDIA BUZZ

FREAK GUITAR-THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED - MATTIAS IA EKLUNDH

Ken Sharp

Imagine a musical frontier with no boundaries, no limitations, no restrictions. Allow us to unveil that very record---Freak Guitar-The Road Less Traveled, a new Favored Nations release by Swedish guitarist Mattias IA Eklundh. It's a six-string tour-de-force of insane explorations of sound that consistently presses the musical envelope. Crammed with 23 jaw-dropping tracks, all displaying Eklundh's imagination, seasoned versatility and fiery virtuoso technique, Freak Guitar-The Road Less Traveled is like nothing you've ever heard before. "The thing I'm most proud of with the album is I gave the record time," remarks Eklundh. "I think time is the key word for trying to break new ground. That's what it's all about. I'm influenced by the same guitar players as everybody else but I tried to walk the road less traveled, to grow my own mustache so to speak. I'm from Sweden and I do everything backwards. I'm left handed and I use no effects whatsoever. The guitar itself contains so many sounds you can use. I have very liberal ears and I wanted to make a listenable, unorthodox party CD."

The critical praise for the record has been unanimous with Eklundh enjoying five-star reviews from British publications, Kerrang and Guitar Techniques. UK Guitarist raves: "Eklundh's ear for melody is spot on, even during his most avant-garde moments, and an insane cover of "Smoke on the Water" is just the tip the iceberg. Faster than Malmsteen, smoother than Michael Lee Firkins and, dammit, better than Vai - this is undoubtedly the future of this style of guitar playing".

Blessed with a limitless musical imagination, Freak Guitar-The Road Less Traveled, Mattias IA Eklundh's second solo release, resonates with the sound of an artist comfortable in his own skin. This record isn't a shredder guitar wank fest. Instead, Freak Guitar succeeds because it's packed with great, and memorable songs. "Of course there are tons of guitar licks on the record, "says Eklundh. "But I really believe it's a guitar record for people who actually like different kinds of music. You don't have to be a guitar nerd to dig it. The star of the record is the songs. It's even more important in guitar instrumental music to frame your songs, make it easy for everyone to listen to and not just be a platform for showing off."

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Mattias Ia Eklundh started out as a drummer at the age of six after buying Kiss' "Destroyer" .

Seeing Frank Zappa when he was 11 changed his view on music forever and he has been a huge fan ever since. Mattias consider his major influences to be the inimitable Zappa and Kiss.

At the age of 13 he changed to guitar and began practicing fanatically. Self-taught on the instrument Mattias borrowed books from the library to learn music theory.

After forming the group Frozen Eyes and recording a strange self-titled album in 1988 (Bums records) Mattias moved to Copenhagen to join Danish band Fate. In 1991 Fate released "Scratch ´n Sniff" (EMI) and Mattias was hailed as "The guitar player of the 90's" in Japanese magazines. After getting a thorough insight how the ugly showbiz-industry worked Mattias decided it was time to move on and formed Freak Kitchen in 1992.

In 1995 Mattias released his first instruction video, "Freak guitar vol. 1" (Thunderstruck prod.) Among other things, Mattias demonstrates how to use hose-clips and remote controls in a very unorthodox video. He plans to shoot a "sequel" to "Freak guitar vol. 1" simply called "Freak guitar vol. 2…the revenge!".

Mattias is also the man behind the ugly rubber mask, Mr Libido, and released the, to say the least, weird album "Sensually Primitive" in the spring of 1997.

Eklundh frequently travels around the planet holding seminars in his strange playing style.

In the fall of 1999 the beefy solo-effort Freak Guitar was released, a monumental, six-stringed roller-coaster ride. Freak Guitar's success took everyone by surprise and it is still being released in various territories around the world, most recently by Steve Vai and Favored Nations in a brand new pressing. Consisting of 20 original tracks, Ia also included his very own interpretations of KISS´ "Detroit Rock City" and "La Bamba". Must be heard to be believed.

Before dedicating his time and effort on the work of writing, recording and producing the fourth Freak Kitchen album in winter/spring of 2000 "Dead Soul Men", Mattias contributed an instrumental called "Yngwie 2000" on a Malmsteen tribute entitled Guitar Odyssey.

Ia also participated on the Jason Becker tribute "Warmth in the Wilderness" with his orginal track "Lydia's House".

Mattias is today considered one of the most innovative and ground breaking guitar players around with a fast growing global following from fellow "guitar nerds" to simply true music freaks. Mattias' minimalist, home-brewed, and stripped down approach to the guitar has surprised record buyers and journalists around the world. There simply aren't any signs of expensive guitar effects or processors involved in his playing, despite the sometimes "outlandish" sounds you hear. (Ia receives e-mails daily from dedicated guys and gals asking him what type of whammy pedal he owns. He finds this very amusing).

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George Brooks

Saxophonist George Brooks has performed with such notable musicians as Etta James, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Kronos Quartet, Anthony Braxton. Born in New York City , George Brooks began his early musical studies with saxophonist and arranger, Frank Foster. His musical education continued at the New England Conservatory of Music where he received his Bachelor of Music in 1979, specializing in Saxophone/Jazz Studies. His teachers included renowned saxophone guru, Joe Allard, and composer/theorist George Russell. While living in Boston , Brooks performed regularly with Jaki Byard's Apollo Stompers. He was also featured in ensembles led by Gunther Schuller, Jimmy Guiffre, and Slide Hampton.

In 1979, Brooks moved to California where he met composer Terry Riley and sitarist Krishna Bhatt. Improvising with these musicians ignited an interest in Indian music. Brooks' fascination with this music took him on two extended trips to India where he met and studied with master vocalist, Pandit Pran Nath.

Throughout the 1980's and 1990's, Brooks regularly toured and performed in concert with Terry Riley. Together they performed in the U.S. , Europe and Japan , often with sitarist Krishna Bhatt. Brooks was a founding member of the unique Khayal ensemble, Riley's polyrhythmic improvisational chamber group. He premiered and recorded Riley's "June Buddhas" with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and premiered Riley's " New Islands " at P/N Hall in Tokyo .

In 1996, Zakir Hussain and Moment Records released LASTING IMPRESSION, Brooks' CD debut as a leader. This highly acclaimed recording sparked a relationship between Brooks and Hussain that has led to concerts worldwide and the recording of NIGHT SPINNER, co-produced by Brooks and Hussain for Moment Records. These CDs, featuring Brooks's original compositions, have been touted as the best Indian/jazz fusion since John Mclaughlin's Shakti. The success of these recordings has propelled Brooks to perform with many of India's top classical artists including Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Sultan Khan, Aashish Khan and Swapan Chauduri as well as most of India's best known fusion artists.

Brooks also maintains a high profile in the jazz and blues worlds. He has toured with and arranged for blues diva, Etta James and has worked with such distinctive artists as Anthony Braxton, Albert Collins, Turtle Island String Quartet, Larry Coryell and Henry Kaiser. He was recently featured on the Yo Miles CD (Shanachie) with Kaiser and Leo Smith.

These diverse and demanding experiences give him a deep intuitive understanding of the world's many musical forms. His unique melodic voice, expressed through rich tone, technical fluency and dynamic stage presence makes him a much sought-after performer.

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Leni Stern

Born in Munich , Germany , Leni started playing piano at the age of six and guitar at eleven. At seventeen, she formed her own acting company. Her radical productions sold out houses across Europe and attracted press and TV coverage. In 1977, she turned her attention to music and left for the United States to study film scoring at the Berklee College of Musicin Boston. Film scoring gave way to her love for guitar and in 1981, Leni moved to New York City to play in a variety of rock and jazz bands. In1983, she formed a group of her own with Paul Motion on drums and Bill Frisell on guitar. Leni’s 1985 “Clairvoyant” was her first solo instrumental recording. Eight albums and 12 years later, in 1997, she released “BlackGuitar,” her first vocal full-length release.

In between writing, recording, and touring, Leni somehow finds the time to run her own record label, Leni Stern Recordings (LSR), which she began in 1997 with the release of “Black Guitar.” While she hopes to release albums by other performers in the jazz and songwriter worlds in the future, Leni has already released two additional albums of her own on LSR thus far:1998’s “Recollection, “ a critically-acclaimed retrospective which made the top 10 of the year for Billboard in the jazz category and also included five new vocal tracks; and “Kindness of Strangers,” Leni’s 2000 release whichsaw her breaking new ground: that of orchestrator/composer, especially on the centerpiece track, “Vedo Il Tuo Viso (I See Your Face).” “I got the commission,” Leni remembers. “Then, because of the availability of musicians and circumstances surrounding the event, I found out I was going to have to compose a song for a full orchestra of 120 performers!” She rose to the occasion, to stunning results, prompting the Washington Post to declare: “…her multi-faceted talent is shining in ways it never has before.”

MEDIA BUZZ

By Mike Brannon

Leni Stern has been turning heads for years and for different reasons. First as an actress and theatre group leader in her native Germany , then as a guitarist and composer in the states. Now also as a singer and lyricist. A five time winner in Gibson Guitars' 'Best Female Jazz Guitarist' category, she now moves farther afield from jazz to a more personal, folk influenced style has released "Recollection", her tenth record as a leader.

"My nickname used to be 'Show Me', because I couldn't control myself when I saw people play. I'd literally grab their hands and say, 'Stop - show me that!" Leni explains.

A complex and evolving artist, Leni always stays fresh and interesting. Insight into who she is might best be expressed through certain anecdotes and quotes. In 1988, Leni released, "Secrets" - her third recording - after which she was informed she had breast cancer. "I went back to playing right away just to prove to myself I could still do it", she said shortly after surgery. "And I found the need to turn my amp up to 10 after I was diagnosed...let the feedback sing for awhile. That was an appropriate expression to what I was feeling". Leni's song, "Mary Ellen" is about a woman in her cancer support group from the Midwest with whom she became friends. "Out of twenty-five people that got together that day, I'm one of seven left to tell the story. I wrote a song for each one of them as they left, some for all of us" Leni explains.

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Mandu Sarara

This Brazilian quintet, plays instrumental popular music. Mandu Sarara members are Beto Sporleder (soprano, tenor, baritone saxophone and flute), Lucas Vargas (piano, Rhodes, accordion), Rui Barossi (acoustic and electric bass), Mario Gaiotto (drums and percussion) and Rodrigo Braganca (acoustic and electric guitar and Brazilian viola).

The group aims at the preservation and dissemination of Brazilian popular music of authentic cultural value. Mandu Sarara, researches regional rhythms, presenting a unique collage of rhythms, ranging from frevo , baiao and maracatu, as well as choro, samba and bossa nova.

Influences of iconic Brazilian musicians and composers like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento,Egberto Gismonti and Hermeto Pascoal are prominent in their works.

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The Shuffle Demons

The Shuffle Demons are a Canadian band led by Richard Underhill , who've provided some of the most innovative and high-energy jazz to come out of North America in years. They're virtually impossible to find outside Canada and were equally non-existent on the Web until this page was created to solve both of those problems.

• The band started as three saxophones, stand-up bass, and drums. They played a type of jazz they termed "Bop Rap," with wild free-jazz improvisations and some hip tunes. They wore wild suits, berets, and goatees, covering the occasional Monk or Rollins tune but mostly writing their own jazz heads and humorous tributes to Toronto 's public transportation system among other things.
• The Band now consists of one saxophone (with some heavily computerized effects), drums, bass, and guitar, and they play a version of acid jazz which they like to call "Cyber-Jazz" or "Trip-Hop."

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Niclas Campagnol

He has been described as a world class drummer using instruments in new and varied ways to create a variety of sounds and beats, delighting his listeners with his tempo. He is highly sought out by top performers and groups in Denmark and Scandanavia.

MEDIA BUZZ

Press Reviews:

- He became a living example of what a percussionist can do, both musically and technically. His ideas of using instruments with a huge perspective of variety and fantasy and with a little bit of humor, made this evening complete.
Smålandsposten - Bjorn Danielsson - 1989 - Sweden

- It is great to see that young musicians come to join the FJV Big Band, One of these cats is Niclas Campagnol on drums, who is going to grow into an excellent musician.
A good tempo, nice kicks, and what a brilliant support he gave the big band and vocalist, Lena Ericsson tonight at the Cathedral School .

Smålandsposten - Bjorn Danielsson - 1988 - Sweden

- The drums are played by Niclas Campagnol, who has been around the Danish music scene for the last four years. The Rap speaks about a "Real Magician" behind the drums.
The drummer that plays on car trash, kid toys, and a red 10 liter gas tank.
Jyllandsposten - 1996 - while touring with Bo Stief "Dream Machine"

- He is a very big talent with great technique on the instrument, which allows him many colors in his playing. His great ears and involvement in a playing situation show many different angles in his universe of musicality. His sensitivity gives a positive vibe on the other players, and they are inspired by him. Niclas high level in general allows him great opportunities for the future to play and create music in this world.

Examination Concert at The Copenhagen Jazz House - June - 1996
Aage Tangaard, Lennart Gruvstedt, Eric Moseholm

- Camagnol is a man whose talent and brilliance is sought and sampled by many groups and individuals in his native Denmark and Scandinavia . His strong personality and professionalism continue to steer towards an ever creative and spontaneous direction.
Donegal Democrat - March - 1997 - Ireland - while touring with Larry Land

- Campagnol plays differently than one would expect from a rhythm section, which was to back up acoustic bass, guitars, vocals, and unusual instruments like Uillean Pipes. - He simply bangs out his colorful drumming and plays Grunge, and Britpop inspired drums with enthusiasm and originality.

- Ethnic hippie music played with 90's energy and no respect for death.
Gaffa - February - 1997

- First of all, I would like to mention a guy named Niclas Campagnol.
I believe he is a world class drummer.
Kidde Vikingsson - Musikborsen - 1998 - Sweden

niclas@campagnol.com
www.campagnol.com

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Interplay

The Band comprises of four creative musicians from Bombay , who, continue to make unique and significant contributions to the Jazz / R&B /Funk circuit in India .   INTERPLAY is . . . SONIA SAIGAL, HARMEET MANSETA and ADRIAN D'SOUZA   Besides concert and club gigs across the country, INTERPLAY has been performing at various corporate events in Bombay .   INTERPLAY is managed by Bharat Navani. Their Story   At the on start of the band in January 2005, it was decided that the music they played and created as a team would be heralding a return to the mother of all music... their one true love... JAZZ.   Since then INTERPLAY has captivated fans with their music executed masterfully yet soulfully, resulting in mesmerizing performances.   They are currently writing material for their debut album, which will be released by the end of 2006. The album is a mix of original and standard material. Listen to their audio clips
http://www.interplaymusic.com/index.html

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Sonia Saigal

Sonia Saigal is the vocalist of INTERPLAY and is one of the best singers to ever come forth from India . Her parents are both professional singers and have been performing for the last 30 years all over India .

Her first stage appearance was at the tender early age of 7 in Calcutta at a show called “HE’S MY BROTHER“. At the age of 16 she made her professional debut singing with an 18 piece jazz big band known as the Delhi Swing Ensemble, followed by numerous singing assignments with most of the leading musicians in India, where she honed her craft with a lot of hard work and dedication, emerging as one of the most brilliant singers in India today.

She has performed in almost every 5 star hotel all over India . She has been invited to perform abroad with international musicians in major cities like Bangkok , Beijing , Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai on contractual basis and has performed at Jazz Festivals and Fusion performances in Dubai , Abu Dhabi and Katmandu .

As a vocalist Sonia is truly versatile and is at home singing Pop, Rock, Funk and R&B and as a jazz singer she simply excels and has proved her mettle at the Jazz Yatra in 2002, 2003 and 2005 where the audience and music critics hailed her as the new jazz diva.

In 2005 she performed with the Siemens Big Band for their tour in India , in tandem with Mr. Louiz Banks, and has also collaborated with musicians such as Grammy winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Asha Bhosle, Sivamani and Grammy winning producer Cedric Samson.

Sonia fronts two bands, BLACK MARKET and INTERPLAY, both of which show her diversity.

She continues to expand her musical horizons with emphasis on being as creative and true as possible to the musical forms she loves and remains a busy singer with numerous studio

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Harmeet Manseta

 

Harmeet plays keyboards. He has been playing professionally for eight years, during the course of which he has played with a variety of musicians, in several different types of musical situations.

His primary area of musical expression is the idiom of Jazz improvisation. Along with the allied genres of R&B, funk and alternative rock, Harmeet has also played in settings that involve the fusion and amalgamation of these various genres with Indian Classical Music. His love for music can be felt thru his interpretations of many standards classic and contemporary.

There is only so much one can derive from meeting a person for the first time but in the case of Harmeet (a.k.a. Max )and his music, it would not be wrong to say that you feel completely connected and enthralled by the deep love and gratitude he feels towards great jazz masters like Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett that presents itself  every time he plays .

It is this gratitude that only a true musician would know, feel and be able to express making the music one hears more receptable to the audience that is listening.

Harmeet is a regular member of two bands, INTERPLAY and BLACK MARKET.

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Adrian d’Souza

 

In 1997 Adrian was offered the drummers  seat in Roseanna Vitro's  trio.  Since then there has been no looking back. New York offered him a chance to study and play with some of the best musicians in the Tri  state area. In 1999, while gigging in Memphis , he met Peter Erskine at the University of Memphis and was quick to study with him.

Adrian has shared the band stand with Eddie Gomez, Art Davis, Gary Bartz, Mark Soskin, Dave Kikoski, Ken Werner, John Hicks and Ratzo Harris to name a few. He has recorded along side Roseanna Vitro, Eddie Gomez, Fred Hersch, Randy Brecker, and Chris Potter .

His debut album 'Its About Time' produced by Paul Wickliffe, features Roseanna Vitro, Don Braden, Allen Farnham, Chieli Minucci and Bob Bowen. As a side man Adrian has recorded on albums by Roseanna Vitro, Special EFX, John Fedchock, Jon Lucien, Ann Callaway, Charles Pillow, Lao Tizer, Susan Greico, Paranoise and The Indica Project.

Adrian performed with Al Jarreau, George Duke, Earl Klugh and Ravi Coltrane at the 2005 VH1 Jazz Masters, and has had successful performances in Slovenia with the 'Maribor Philharmonic Orchestra' featuring Roseanna Vitro. He was invited by the 'World Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra and big band' to perform in South Africa for the United Nations - World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Since his return to Bombay,  Adrian plays with  GLOBAL UNITY  (Sanjay Divecha and Karl Peters ) , INTERPLAY , the Madhav Chari Trio and tours with Roseanna Vitro.

Visit   www.adriandsouza.com

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Carlos Monteiro

 

Carlos Monteiro has been the undoubted star of the Jazz movement in Goa and has been the pillar of Heritage Jazz right since its inception. Whenever the verandah shows were happening, it was a certainty that he would always be there, with his guitar. But, Carlos always preferred to play the keyboards even though he was not trained on it and this is because he displays such emotion and style on it.

Carlos started playing the guitar at the age of 9, by a celluloid guitar offered to him by his godmother. Seeing that his older brother used to play the lead guitar, he worked hard and fully concentrated on rhythm guitar and studied the chord work. He used to play for family parties, especially accompanying his father on the violin and brother on guitar.

In 1986, he formed a serenading trio with Vincent Figueiredo and Young Chico and performed regularly at the Fort Aguada Holiday Resort( a Taj Hotel). In 1987, he travelled to Singapore and bought his first Yamaha Keyboard. That's when he shifted from guitar to keyboards, thus transferring his entire chord work from the guitar to keyboards. The first chance was to perform regularly as keyboardist in a jazz band called ' The Entertainers ', having the legendary drummer, late Victor Shreeves. 

In 1988, he left this band and had a better chance to play professionally, as a rhythm guitarist in Emiliano and Cabelleros, jazz band. He played every night at the Taj Hotel and performed at the famous ' Goa Jazz Nites' at the Taj Hotels in Delhi and Bangalore respectively.

In February 1990, Carlos formed and led a special fusion band having among them a Sitar and a Tabla musician and named this as 'SURYA' , performing for big shows on Goan beaches. The biggest moment for this band was the opening act the ' Goa Jazz Yatra ' at the Kala Academy.

Carlos’ memorable achievement was playing the famous jazz number ' Take 5 ', in an Indian rhythm with tabla effects at the start. However this superb group had a slow death as some musicians migrated to Europe and U.S. 

In 1992, he joined a Goan folklore group called 'GAVANA ' and travelled with them to China for the 2nd International Folklore Festival and also travelled with the same group to Sicily, Italy in Feb.1996.

Carlos plays occasionally on few days a week in different hotels on the Goan coastline, but his most important weekly show is at ' Ingo's Saturday Nite Market '. 

In his musical life he has met and performed with famous musicians like Mike Danton from Canada and Brian Russel. 

As a passionate world traveller, he has reached the Brazillian shores and fell in love with the Brazillian samba in Rio de Janeiro, especially with the Brazillian percussion called ' The Cuiga ' (a very small drum). He is influenced very much by the samba music and his favourite is the famous song called ' So danco Samba'.

Carlos’ dream is to reassemble the fusion group 'SURYA' and combine the Indian and the Brazillian rhythms on the dream show in Goa. And, with so much joie de vivre in his whole personality, we do not see it far that this happens. Heritage Jazz will surely welcome the band with open arms.

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Carlos Gonsalves

 

For Goa’s well-known drummer-boy – Carlos Gonsalves from Mapusa, music is a sound through which he expresses his emotions of joy and happiness. And now with the release of his first album – Talking Drums – he has done what he does best – create music through his drums. But why the name Talking Drums, and pat comes the reply, “Because when I play its just like I’m talking to my drums. My drums do the talking.”

Carlos’ musical journey started at a very young age when he would grab hold of any utensils at home and use them as makeshift drums. His parents realising the talent in young Carlos got him enrolled in a music school and he was hooked. Later at age 17, he even became a part of a college band – Deep red – which became quite a rage at that time. He even joined Raul de Souza (a drummer) learning notations and other basics of musicology.

Carlos was later introduced to world music by Goa’s music greats Lester Godinho (drummer) and Colin D’cruz (bassist) and he even joined their latin assemblage Obligato as a percussionist and performed in a lot of shows all over India.

But Carlos was more interested in improvising with different types of music and this urge to learn drove him to Ireland where he played with Irish folk musicians for some time. He even learnt the Irish percussion instrument ‘Duff’ when he was over there. But Goa beckoned and he was back to freelance with an Indian fusion band Shanti comprising of Goan musicians through which he strengthened his roots in Indian music. He even played alongside national and world-renowned musicians like Hari kumar, a violinist who learnt music from L Subramaniam, Goa’s very own Remo, Graeme Hamilton (UB40’s trumpet and saxophone player) and many more. “Playing with Graeme Hamilton was one of the greatest moments of my musical carrer.” He says with admiration.

Ask him about the different types of percussion instruments he plays and his face lights up, “I play the drums, Djembe, Indian duss, etc, but actually I don’t need any particular instrument. I can get a tune or sound even if I play on glass,” says Carlos.

He is a regular feature at the Heritage Jazz Yatra and has regaled audiences who just love what he does.

 

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Megha

Music is like a river that takes its course along terrains of mother earth to radiate variations of vivid imagery to appeal to the aesthetic sense of the connoisseur and the peppy sense of the laymen. Classical music of all births due to the rigidity of content and discipline has not been able to reach out to the masses. Strains of music especially jazz have become a cult figure with a devoted fan following and the Camatic idiom has sustained itselfinspite of the ravages of time. It was an idea and a great sensibility to sound that brought two musicians of extreme courage and inherent talent to be able to break the barriers of these styles to create a new sound called Camatic-jazz.

The ensemble was called MEGHA translating into THE CLOUDS. The use of pure classical Camatic music on the veena and strains on the guitar with rhythmic interludes on the mridangam ghatam, tabla and drums further enhanced by the keyboards and bass guitar have made MEGHA popular with performances across the country to their credit.

Dr Suma Sudhindra, one of the most acclaimed veena exponents of the country is known for her melodic rendition on the veena that one observes in her music the brilliant blend of traditional purity and artistic novelty.

Sri V.S. Rajagopal is one of the most respected percussionists of Kama taka. His mastery over the mridangam is surpassed and his name is synonymous with laya.

M.A. Krishnamurthy is undoubtedly the most accomplished tabla and ghatam player. He is a master, a versatile musician, a dexterous instrumentalist and a man of few words.

B.K. Chandramouli is a pride student of Shri Phalghat Raghu, whose talents range

with his expertise on the kanjira and mridangam. He is also the most widely acclaimed performer on the konekol a traditional rendering of rhythmic expression.

Yogendra Hule is the youngest member of the group and is Gerard's nephew. He has a firm grounding and is amongst the finest drummers in the country. A recent stint in Australia got him admission to the Australian College of Music.

K.N.Prakash is influenced by Jaco Pastorius and has been playing for over six years with jazz.

Whenever this group performs it always turns out to be a magical music night.

Visit www.sumasudhindra.com

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Amit Heri

One of the few Indian musicians to perform at major international music festivals (Berlin Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival, Paris Jazz Festival, Rome World Music Festival, WOMAD Festival, World Social Forum and many more), Amit Heri studied on a scholarship at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music, USA and has performed with various internationally known artists including Charlie Mariano, Aka Moon, Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu, Matt Garrison, Robert Miles, Salif Keita & Angelique Kidjo .

 He has scored music for feature films (including “Morning Raga”), fordance (including Astad Deboo & the STEM Dance Theatre) and for theatre productions.

AMIT HERI’ S albums include: Amit Heri Group (Earth Music, India ), Morning Raga (Music Today, India ), Charlie Mariano – Bangalore (Intuition, Germany ), Louis Banks – Music for Romance (Music Today, India ) & Trilok Gurtu – Beat of Love ( Universal , USA ).

The Amit Heri Group will comprise of Amit Heri on lead guitar, Ranjit Barot on drums, Ravi Chari on Sitar and Karl Peters on drums. They will be performing for the first time in India after a successful stint worldwide and across the country. They are currently rated as India ’s top jazz outfit and will be performing original tracks composed by Amit.

 

 

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Ranjit Barot

Ranjit's relationship with music began from early childhood as he is the son of Padmashree Sitara Devi. Surrounded by a family of classical Indian dancers & musicians & gifted with an inherent sense of rhythm & melody, it was inevitable that Ranjit would forego any other career to pursue one in the performing arts.

He was fortunate to perform with the late great trumpet player Don Cherry at an impromptu jam session in Warsaw and then later in a more formal setting at the Jazz Yatra in Mumbai. At the age of 20, Ranjit played at the Berlin Festival on the same stage as Miles Davis, & at the Belgrade Festival which featured Joe Zawinul & the Weather Report.  A proud moment was in Portugal when the legendary Dizzy Gillespie actually stood in the wings to watch his drum solo & then later complimented him on it.  It was during one of these highly successful tours that Ranjit was selected for a prestigious endorsement deal by Paiste cymbals. In fact, he is currently fulfilling an endorsement contract with Zildjian cymbals & had occasion to participate with the amazing Dennis Chambers at a workshop held in Mumbai.

Ranjit himself has worked as a Music Director on a number of films, including some popular Hindi & regional films, the most recent film release being – ‘Holiday’. Ranjit is currently working on a number of independent feature films both in Hindi & Tamil in the capacity of Music Director.

Along with producing various Indi pop Artists – Suneeta Rao’s – Talaash, Shaan – Tishnagi, Shiamak Davar – Survive. He is also currently producing several Indi pop albums.

Visit www.ranjitbarot.com

 

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Ravi Chari

Born in a family rich in musical tradition, Ravindra’s musical instincts asserted themselves early. His father,Late Pt. Prabhakar Chary, a noted tabla player from Goa initiated his musical training in Harmonium, Tabla and Sitar. He continued to nurture his child’s prodigious potential and zeal for the Sitar placing him under the privileged tutelage of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, Later, young Ravindra moved to Mumbai where he studied under great sitar maestros like Ustad Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan and Ustad Shahid Parvez which continues till today.

 

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Karl Peters

Karl Peters does not require any introduction in Goa. He has performed with probably all the good bands in the country and is the most sought after bassist in the country today.

Highly acclaimed and sought after, karl loves to come to Goa to perform to the music appreciative crowd of this state. He has performed all over the world at different jazz festivals as well as rock concerts.

Proof of his popularity is that he will be performing with the Amit Heri Group as well as “Interplay” since both bands cannot do without his presence.

Besides being a top class musician, Karl is known for his soft and loving ways and has decided to stay over in Goa for a couple of days after the concert so that he can be with some Goan musician friends who want him to guide them in their careers.

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Babush Santana

Babush Santana (Drums, Violin, Trumpet, Vocals): Babush santana is a legend in his own right. He tarted his career at the age of eight and turned professional at twelve, conducting his first major concert a 14 piece band in bombay and has since carved a niche for himself in the field of music.

A graduate in violin from the Trinity College Of Music, London, Babush and his brother, the legendry Jazz Saxophone Great the late Joe Santana shared the privilege of being the only band to have represented India on four occasions at "JAZZ YATRA"- THE International Jazz Festival. For a number of years Babush and Joe Santana organised "Just Jazz" concerts once a year in Delhi until Joe's untimely death.

Widely acknowledged as one of the most popular music directors in the world of theater in Delhi, he has arranged and composed for the stage productions of MY FAIR LADY, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, MATILDA- comprising of his own compositions and arrangements AND the magnum opus LES ISERABLES to name a few.

Babush is at present working on a Jazz album which has music composed and arranged by him and features his niece Laura Santana.

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Soulmate

Soulmate was formed about five years ago. The band consists of blues-guitar player, songwriter and singer, Rudy Wallang and Vocalist Tipriti ‘TIPS’ Kharbangar who also plays rhythm guitar,Ferdy Dkhar on Bass Guitar and Sam Shullai on Drums. They all come from Shillong, Meghalaya which is one of the North-Eastern hill states of India .

Soulmate have released their debut album entitled “SHILLONG” which was recently (2005) voted as the #1 Indian Original Album in the Blues/Rock category. The album is a tribute to love in its different forms as well as being a tip of the hat to their hometown. They have also released a music video for the song “I AM” which is currently being played on channel VH1 (..Maybe the only Blues video playing in India at the moment).Their music features regularly on World Space Radio. The Band takes their name from one of the songs on the album called “Blues is my soulmate”.

The band has performed almost all over India playing numerous gigs in Delhi, Ahmedabad ,Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Kalimpong, Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam and here in Shillong,as well as at the International Jazzmandu Festival in Kathmandu , Nepal in 2004 and 2005. They are regular performers at The HAZE Blues Bar in Delhi and are also members of the Blues Club of India. Who would have ever imagined that the Blues would or could be played in India …of all places!!

Soulmate has been selected by The Blues Club of India to participate in the 23 rd.International Blues Challenge, to be held in Memphis, Tennessee from the 1 st. - 3 rd Feb, 2007 .

The sound of the band is based on the Blues.The influences range from Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Albert King, B.B King, Willie Dixon, Roy Buchanan, Peter Green, Koko Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald to Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, Etta James and Johnny ‘GUITAR’ Watson, to name a few!!

Rudy and Tips have been asked numerous times why they chose to sing and play the Blues and their answer has been……. “We did not choose the blues…… the Blues chose us! ….”

Visit www.soulmatemusic.net

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Saskia Laroo

Saskia Laroo, hailed by American public and press at large as "Lady Miles of Europe", is one of the few women trumpet stylists, blowing for more than three decades. Born July 31, 1959 in Amsterdam, she began on trumpet at age 8, never dreaming of becoming a professional musician.

That all changed when Saskia, turned 18, after briefly majoring in Mathematics at University of Amsterdam switched her focus to a career in music. She worked extensively in various groups from this point, primarily on upright bass, though eventually, on both bass and trumpet.

Saskia Laroo combines today’s music by uncontrived romps into new styles, eagerly limned as "nu jazz" or "swingin’ body-music"--a vivacious blend of hip-hop, jazz, salsa, funk reggae, and world, that many other artists dare not venture. Her artistry and her groove ring vibrantly and free on her four albums journeying us through the music she has absorbed and plays from heart and soul.

Visit http://www.saskialaroo.nl/wb/index.php

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