The fourth edition of Jazz Weekender is all the hype with Allysha Joy, Dhanji and Mark de Clive-Lowe among the artiste lineup

On the cusp of a brand new period, jazz continues to evolve, broaden and experiment with all varieties of sounds and genres — all whereas staying rooted to its ornate id. It is this high quality of adaptability that retains this style uniquely related and timeless. What else might presumably clarify its large spectrum of recognition that stretches from the African-American communities of New Orleans — the place it was born — to New Delhi the place an annual modern jazz competition is hosted by on-line radio boxout.fm, Wild City, music company Gatecrash and its jazz-community-building initiative Jazz in India?

Jazz Weekender at 1AQ
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Special association

In its fourth edition now, the two-day music competition, Jazz Weekender, might be held at 1AQ in Mehrauli on October 11. It will stand witness to an amalgam of genre-bending experiments and sonic landscapes which are a mirrored image of India’s fascination for indie cult music’s interactions with jazz. That stated, Australian singer-songwriter Allysha Joy, who is the frontwoman of jazz ensemble 30/70, might be teaming up with an all-Indian band to create a soul, R&B and jazz expertise. “Allysha will be backed by Nathan Thomas on bass, Dhir Mody on drums, Shirish Malhotra on saxophone and Mallika Barot on vocals. Each of them has been active in India’s indie and jazz scene for over a decade. Mallika is also the daughter of jazz drummer Ranjit Barot. These musicians are joining Allysha on tour across India as well. Allysha, who is travelling to India as part of her album The Making of Silk world tour, will also be playing in Mumbai, Kolkata and Goa,” informs Tanish Thakker, director of Gatecrash and Jazz in India.

An picture from an earlier edition of Jazz Weekender 
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Special association

The competition will function 12 acts, however with band members and collaborators, there might be a complete illustration of greater than 50 artists. The International-artiste lineup contains jazz hybrid pioneer Mark de Clive-Lowe, Berlin-based Caribbean-American award-winning artist Sera Kalo, London’s four-piece group Oreglo and French quartet Marthe that mix Greek and Middle Eastern melodies with jazz, rock and jungle influences. From India, there’s Ahmedabad’s electrifying rapper Dhanji bringing collectively a 13-piece band for a particular jazz-funk collaboration, Bangalore’s Derek & The Cats, hip-hop and R&B artist Meba Ofilia, duo RANJ x Clifr and Goa-based quintet Sambucáda.

London’s four-piece group Oreglo
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Munbir Chawla, co-founder, Wild City, explains: “The festival grew out of a shared love of live music and a desire to reimagine the jazz festival in a contemporary Indian context. The idea was to create a boutique weekend celebrating the genre’s legacy while pushing it forward”.

Ranj x Clifr
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Special association

This yr’s curation, he provides, highlights the international cross-pollination of jazz with soul, funk and digital music. He informs that the competition has grown organically, with every edition, and the earlier one witnessed a footfall of over 4,000 music aficionados. “While it’s not built around profits, the festival has been sustainable and continues to gain cultural value which provides a platform to performing acts from around India and the world. Like any other festival in the market, we rely on a combination of ticketing, F&B revenue, and collaborations with a variety of brands,” says Munbir. He states that the competition’s companions this yr embrace Jack Daniel’s, Aperol, Simba, ZigZag, Mission Bay, Sula, Camikara Rum, Sepoy & Co., Vedica, and District.

Sera Kalo
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Special association

If not for the adventurous and expressive artistes, Jazz Weekender must be in your go-to record for picnics on the grass below the banyan tree, craft cocktails by Mission Bay with a view of Qutub Minar at sundown, and of course all that jazz!

Dhanji
| Photo Credit:
Special association

In its fourth edition now, the two-day music competition, Jazz Weekender, might be held at 1AQ in Mehrauli on October 11. Tickets begin at ₹2,499 on district.in/occasions.