Almost everywhere in Europe, the USA, Africa, Australia and even Japan and SouthEast Asia there is a vibrant and thriving jazz scene. By that I mean the number of clubs, a conservatory to study jazz and a sizable chunk of  musicians who meet and perform together frequently and perhaps a jazz festival or two.

The absence of a jazz scene in Bangalore has been nagging me for a good number of years now. As an aural art form, jazz cannot develop in isolation. It needs practitioners to constantly meet, interplay, exchange, trade, collaborate regularly and that’s what has contributed to the growth of jazz worldwide. Ever since I was hooked on jazz right from tuning into Willis Conover’s broadcasts on VOA decades ago and performing with our group MoonArra with musicians in India and overseas, collaborating and recording – the idea of developing a jazz scene in Bangalore has been foremost in my mind. Before the pandemic we did start the Jazz Thursdays for a few weeks at Viraj’s Take 5 but then the powers that be decided to shut down the entire vibrant nightlife scene in Indiranagar completely.  

Café Jazz Sessions has been conceived with the hope that younger musicians interested in creative pursuits and  jazz or just about anyone who would like to know more about jazz can benefit from more experienced and performing musicians who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Café Jazz Sessions is also a run up to the main event, the International Jazz Day Bangalore, part of JazzDay celebrations worldwide, which is now being hosted in its fourth year from April 27 to April 30 at multiple venues in the city.

The broader appeal of jazz lies in its freedom for musicians to create something new, of being ‘in the moment’, and process of self discovery. With this synergy, energy, and enthusiasm we hope that Indo Jazz which has a small but significant presence worldwide can continue developing, starting with our very own city Bangalore. Apart from musicians who participate selflessly, Café Jazz Sessions needs stakeholders such as venues, sponsors and media partners for it to grow and sustain year after year.

Both The Bangalore School of Music and The Alliance Francaise De Bangalore are committed to helping develop and keep the interest in jazz and music alive through initiatives such as this. With our common interest in jazz, we are delighted to have Explocity on board as a media partner.