All That Jazz

Barot’s performance in the Capital comes almost after three decades. “I can’t remember the last time I played publicly in Delhi. It was such a long time ago,sometime in the early 1980s,” he says,“Yes,it’s sad because,in the absence of exposure,listeners are not aware of all the movement in jazz across the world.”

Barot will play with American saxophonist Tim Garland and French bass player Dominique Di Piazza. His pieces will be from Bada Boom,his new album that was released last month. “The name refers to the Big Boom and the pieces explore the concepts around the birth of the universe,” says Barot. Dark Matter,for instance,is a brooding piece with big brass and horn section,while Supernova,dedicated to Ustad Allah Rakha,“evokes the power of a sun which,as it dies,releases the energy of a million suns,” and Origin is a celebration comprising sufi qawalli and electro jazz.

Among the other highlights is MST,a group that was formed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2006,with three musicians doing what they do best— Mexican electronica artiste Murcof making music on his laptop,Erik Truffaz on a trumpet and Talvin Singh on acoustic tabla,exploring the contemporary side of the instrument.

The Louiz Banks Matrixx Band will pay tribute to Herbie Hancock with “his famous tunes that we have explored in our own way because what’s jazz if not a platform to make a personal statements?,” says Banks,adding that Madagascar-based saxophonist Tala Faral will accompany the band this year. “We’re looking to having a lot of fun,” he chuckles.

For those who like funked-up jazz,there is also Jazzkomplott from Germany,and Mateusz Kolakowski Trio,led by a 23-year-old who is counted among the most promising piano players in the jazz world.

The Jazz Utsav will be held till Sunday at FICCI auditorium in Delhi. Contact: 011-46101674.