There's no jazz without soul: Braz Gonsalves and Louiz Banks

Today, jazz artistes have opportunities we didn’t have, says Braz GonsalvesThe golden age of Indian jazz, the 1950s, is a period that jazz musician Braz Gonsalves remembers vividly. “Back then, I was touring all around the country playing for a circus and picked up jazz in places like Delhi and Calcutta,” he recalls. “Calcutta was the main hub for jazz then. The famous Park Street had jazz music being played on both sides of the street. During those days, a lot of musicians from around the world would come to Calcutta, to perform,” he says, adding, “Those were good days for jazz.” The saxophonist, fondly known as the ‘grandfather’ of Indian jazz, tells us that “the newer lot is now getting back into the genre, and that’s really good to see.” Braz tells us, “Today, there is a good number of musicians playing jazz. They also have opportunities we didn’t have, like going abroad to study music. There are even girls playing jazz all over India – we didn’t see much of that in our time. The future of jazz is safe in their hands.”

‘Jazz is all about improvisation’
“Jazz should be appreciated for its own unique qualities, and should not be blurred with other genres. Indian classical music is more structured and rule-bound. Jazz, on the other hand, is all about improvisation and soul,” says Braz.

Social media is helping youngsters to explore jazz, says Louiz BanksJazz musician Louiz Banks has witnessed the many iterations and adaptions of the genre in India. And his belief in its enduring legacy is clear: “As long as there are some serious listeners who love jazz intensely, jazz will continue to swing.” “Today, it’s great that there are so many genres of music styles, but, jazz will continue to regale listeners with its amazing adaptability to all styles of music,” says the pianist, who also called the ‘godfather’ of Indian jazz. Louiz shares, “The younger generation should listen to jazz themselves and start talking about it, attending jazz concerts, and do interviews with jazz musicians… this will help the jazz tribe grow and flourish! Jazz is a genre discussed by musicians every single day, and social media can spread this message about jazz.” “Now, jazz is in the hands of the young. Once they start listening to jazz in all its colours, they will get hooked. Once they see the possibility of taking their own music forward through jazz styling and improvisation they will see the light. Then jazz is in safe hands,” he says.\

‘The beauty of jazz is that it’s universal’
“Indians still think that jazz is American music — that it’s alien. That is wrong. Once we accept the adaptability of jazz, we will see the immense possibility of extending our own music into realms of universality... and at the same time retain our own individuality and expression,” says Louiz.

‘I’ve evolved along with the evolution of jazz’
“Every decade since its inception, jazz has adapted to the music prevalent at the time. My adaptations went from very strict swing jazz to jazz fusion styles; this shows the freedom of expression in jazz. For me, this makes jazz the greatest music on earth,” says Louiz.