All Jazzed Up

For the uninitiated,the band’s music is an ‘amplified version’ of jazz and is all about storytelling with dramatic twists and turns. “Jazz is an art of making spontaneous music,telling a story over the structure of a song. But our music is not jazz. We play ‘jazzy new’,” says Cheema,27,who along with Sarin and Aranha,plays contemporary jazz,film scores and original music. The band also features special guest musicians on a regular basis.

With numerous samples floating around on YouTube and Facebook,the orchestra immediately evokes awe,for their influences range from Malcolm Braff,Bruno Coulais,Astor Piazzolla to Andreas Kapsalis Trio and many more.

“Audiences are constantly looking for something they can relate to. That meant improvisation for us and what better than jazz,which allows space for spontaneity,” explains Cheema,who is also a teacher at the Bridge Music Academy. He adds that they took to cinematic jazz because playing the regular standard jazz repertoire doesn’t really go down well with the city audience.

Inspired by movies,books and video games,they feel their music is a medium of storytelling. “This way,our audiences are engaged in the overall character and drama of the piece rather than merely the performance part,” says Cheema.

The trio also performs music that has been written for short films and visuals. “Nipun has composed and arranged music for various films for Mukta Arts Studios,NID,Ahmedabad,FTII,and these are films that are doing the rounds of festivals,” says drummer and band manager Sarin,who has 400 gigs to his credit.

The ensemble believes in exploring new rhythms and creating different soundscapes,and in the process,introducing a culture for this kind of music. Their music journey travels from gigs across the country and working with noted artistes. Cheema has taught at Performers Collective,New Delhi,played in his own jazz band and collaborated on a number of projects with other bands and artistes like Parikrama,Mystique,Rory Stuart and Brennon Denfer. Geoff,who teaches at St Stephens School,has 24 years of experience. A self-taught musician,he is also the wit and soul of the band who according to the band members “has a profound sense of pocket and groove.”

“The idea is to reach out,percolate deep down with this music and educate and entertain the audience with our performances,” says Sarin.

The trio will perform on February 12 at Cafe Oz,Sector 9. Entry is free.