Rhythm DIVINE

The good thing about jazz? “Louiz Banks,” the self-proclaimed ‘godfather of jazz’ gulps down a bottle of water,wipes the relentless beads of sweat trickling down his face and lines up to hear his friend and band member,Anandan Sivamani create magic with the drums. In town for the opening of Yamaha Music Square in Sector 37,Chandigarh,the scions of Indian contemporary and fusion music take turns to talk about the grand Grammy nomination and define their art form.

“Except the time when it was displaced by disco,jazz has been around for years and years,and now,it’s making a comeback,” tells Banks,who is now experimenting with the music along with his son. “The focus is integrating Indian with western music,” Banks also points to a six-album release soon. After giving award-winning music to TV serials,ad campaigns,films etc,Banks is now shifting full-time to live concerts. “The fun lies in playing live,” he smiles. Thirty years down the music line,and Damba Bahadur Budhapriti aka Louiz Banks has come a long way,from being a class teacher and jazz player in Kolkata to landing in Mumbai with Rs 300,tuning to guru RD Burman,and making it big. “Those were tough times,but good times too. We played for love,for passion of music. Today,there are a number of instruments and opportunities like reality shows,but one thing everyone should remember – if you are in it for money,then forget music,” says Banks,who,by the way,also does impressionistic paintings!

For Banks,there is immense talent in India. “And the recent exposure has suddenly made the West sit up and take notice of Indian music,” says Banks adding it’s never too late to learn music provided you have the passion and aptitude. But he adds,it’s always better to start early! Just like Sivamani,who started playing music as a child at funerals. “Those were my first lessons in music,” says the percussionist par excellence who has been playing with Banks and their band,Asia Electrik for 25 years now! Looking forward to his world tour,Jai H,with AR Rahman,and two new albums Mahaleela and Anand,Sivamani says music for him is rhythm. “It’s peace,it’s the best diversion to depression…rhythm is like a banyan tree,it’s one,just like sound,it’s everywhere,” he hails its therapeutic powers.

When it comes to musical beats,no one drums it better than Sivamani. From kanjira,damru,Indian conch,ghungroo to an odd suitcase,plastic water bottle,the man has created music out of it all. And when he’s not playing he’s practising on pillows! “Keeps the volume low,” he signs off.