A weekend of jazz

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Greg Banaszak Trio

Genre: Jazz 

Details: Experimental Theatre, August 22

Rating: **** 1/2

Joe Alvares with Gino Banks & Friends

Genre: Vocal jazz

Details: Prithvi Theatre, August 23

Rating: ****

Two venues hosting jazz concerts in Mumbai had contrasting types of audiences over the weekend. Senior citizens were prominent at the Experimental Theatre, NCPA, where saxophonist Greg Banaszak played with his trio on Saturday evening. The following morning, a sizeable number of youngsters were seen at the Prithvi Theatre, where veteran singer Joe Alvares performed with musicians much younger than him.

On the one hand, it was a good sign to indicate that jazz appeals to different generations, at least in Mumbai. Both the shows were dominated by standards and older jazz tunes, with a few originals thrown in. But what one observed is a marked difference in the way the audience responded. The older crowd at the Experimental applauded spontaneously after every solo, even cheering when a tough phrase was perfectly executed, besides giving warm applause at the end. But the younger crowd at Prithvi mostly clapped after the tune's completion, unless Joe egged them to do so after a solo.

There was another difference between the two gigs. Greg's line-up did not have a drummer or a bassist - something that's quite rare in jazz, though it isn't a hard and fast rule to have a rhythm section. Accompanying him were trombonist Chris Anderson and pianist Theron Brown.

Joe was accompanied by drummer Gino Banks, who curates the Sunday brunch-time shows at Prithvi once a month, and Shashank Das, who alternated between upright bass and electric bass. On the melody side were three youngsters - Jarryd Rodrigues on saxophone, 15-year-old Mantra on piano and keyboards, and Swara on violin. In this case, there were no microphones, which is the norm at Prithvi.

Greg began his set with Stanley Turrentine's composition 'Sugar'. Attractions were the standards 'Lover Man' and 'There Is No Greater Love', and Charlie Parker's 'Confirmation'. In a total departure, they did a jazzified version of Stevie Wonder's 'You Are The Sunshine Of My Life'. The Adderley brothers Cannonball and Nat were represented by 'Confirmation' and the popular 'Work Song', which concluded the show, leaving behind an earworm.

A couple of pianist Theron's originals 'Brown's Blues' and 'Morning Horizon' provided variety. The three musicians showed good stage chemistry, and came up with some sparkling solos. The tunes sounded good the way they were, without the rhythm backing. In fact, at smaller and intimate venues, one hopes there is more of this set-up.

At Prithvi, the show began with John Coltrane's instrumental 'Giant Steps', with Gino beginning  alone and others joining in. Jarryd's solo was fabulous. Joe then sang some classics like 'I'm Walking', 'I've Got You Under My Skin', 'Round Midnight' and 'Stormy Monday Blues', besides Al Jarreau's 'Cold Duck' and his original 'Lost Without You'.

The musicians were excellent despite the acoustic limitations, and the teenagers Mantra and Swara showed a certain confidence. A guest solo recital by 18-year-old pianist Zidaan provided a change.

All in all, it was a satisfying weekend for jazz followers. What was significant was that a bulk of the tunes were written before the 1970s began. There's a timelessness about them that makes them special.

Swara and Mantra