Gig review/ Jesus Molina

 

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Jesus Molina/ Live in Mumbai 2025

Genre: Latin jazz

Details: Tata Theatre, June 5

Rating: ****

When Colombian jazz pianist Jesus Molina played at the Tata Theatre two years ago, he was accompanied by two drummers who sat facing each other and majestically operated a jumbo kit. He himself played a grand piano along with a Nord Stage 3 keyboards, while the bassist provided company.

For his latest show, held at the same venue on June 5, he obviously wanted to provide something different  He had three Nord keyboards, and also played saxophone and keytar, besides singing a couple of tunes. Like last time, he also did a short burst on timbales. But the band was different, with electric guitar by Rock Choi, bass by Alex Polydoroff and drums by Cain Daniel. He also had some wonderfully chosen visuals in the backdrop, enhancing the overall effect. The part at the end where the Indian flag fluttered on screen to a 'Tunak Tunak Tun' chant was a stunner. It waa probably the surprise he was talking about in an interview to this writer for NCPA OnStage magazine (which he's holding in the picture above).

Naturally, it wouldn't be fair to compare both shows. Maybe the 2023 show was a bigger surprise in that it had an unconventional line-up, and the Mumbai audience was seeing him for the first time. One doesn't know how many came back this time, but on its own, this show had its own level of energy and virtuosity.

The music was heavily improvisational, with a strong Latin element. The set included a sizeable chunk from Molina's last album Selah, released a year ago. After the three other musicians did a brief intro, Molina came in and played 'Caf', which had shades of Chick Corea. Also from the new album was 'Melody', a beautiful piece he had written for his daughter, now two. On the album, the song appears as a collaboration with violinist Lucia Micarelli. At the show, he adapted the arrangements but it sounded equally beautiful, as images of his daughter brightened the backdrop.

'Pichi', who he's played live with Mumbai bassist Mohini Dey and which is available on YouTube, again got a good response. At the 2023 show, he called Dey from the audience for a jam. She wasn't there this time though.

Being raised in Latin America, Molina uses a lot of music from that region. Songs like 'Tiburon', 'Cumbialada' and the popular 'Piel Canela' reflected the vibrancy and rhythmic verve of that region. He also sang on a couple of numbers, including 'Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti', written by Cuban-born Rudy Perez.

To add to the magic, there were some amazing guitar solos by Rock Choi, and a fabulous interaction between drummer Daniel and Molina on timbales. In the early part of the show, Daniel didn't seem too happy with the configuration of his bass drum. The tech team sorted it while Molina was playing a solo, and thereafter it was sheer magic on the drums.

The show lasted 85 minutes without a break, with Molina walking through the aisles with his keytar during the encore. The intersting thing is he didn't play the regular standards. And while many audience members left the venue on a high, it was heartening to see the band members stay back on stage and chat with some of the budding artistes in the crowd, explaining certain phrases and techniques. Molina himself patiently gave selfies and signed autographs backstage, cracking jokes with fans.

Hopefully it will be the second of many visits by Molina. The other Indian cities deserve to experience his live charisma too. Maybe there will be some strings and horns next tike to go with the keys.