If you thought that jazz was beyond you,that it is too elitist for you to be able to connect to,then a gregarious voice is willing to shake you up and inspire a re-think. When you meet Diane Witherspoon,with her effortless smile and that animated energy,she needn't even bother telling you that jazz can be fun. I want people to think of jazz as fun. I want them to know that it is possible to come out of a jazz performance having thoroughly enjoyed oneself, says Witherspoon. Singer,composer,musician and publisher,Witherspoon brings with her two decades of personal artistic history. And for an audience ill-groomed on this genre,she feels a personal connection delivers a stronger punch than a distant presence on the stage. For me it is extremely important to relate to the audience. I want the people at the show to come with an open mind,with an expectation of enjoyment of the music, she says. A pursuit that has lasted a lifetime,the dedication to this form of music will unmistakably smack of autobiographical shades. My music is indeed inspired by my experiences,the way I perceive,the way my relationships shaped me. My travels,my family all of it finds reflections in my music. I have endured terrible lows and reveled in spectacular highs. All the hues shine through in my music, says Witherspoon. For anyone who started early in life,the music grows and matures just as emotions outgrow old skins. For me the music was just plain fun to start with. But as age progresses,you realise that its business too. It dawned on me firm,the importance of finding work, she chuckles. I strongly believe that everything is OK when you get to do what you have to do. I am doing what I feel I should be doing. Wherever I am and whatever I am doing,I always think as to why am I really here? There is always an undercurrent that travels beneath every musical pursuit I involve myself in. Music is just a vehicle to discover these deeper sources of energies, Witherspoon opines. A resident of Los Angeles,Witherspoon has been in the midst of a kaleidoscope of sounds from across the world. She admits she has heard a bit Bollywood music,but is eager to experience it anew here,as the place where an art form originates has a different flavour to offer than what may have been peddled in the media. The incredible nature of India can overwhelm the best of us. So its with natural curiosity that one would enquire on how Witherspoon's been coping. Believe it or not,I am absolutely in awe of the banyan trees around. They fascinate me immensely. And I love the taste in fabric that the Indian women display in their everyday wear. The sari is an impressive garment. And,yes,I love Indian food,though the rumble in my stomach would beg to disagree, says she letting off that infectious laugh. (Diane Witherspoon will be performing,accompanied by a quartet,at élan,Ishanya,on Sunday,August 29,from 7:30pm onwards)
