Jazz is gaining popularity among the new generation of music lovers

If one looks at the ‘Music@Trinkas’ section on the official website of the Kolkata establishment, one will discover a rich history of food and entertainment in the city. One particular anecdote takes you back to 1963, offering a glimpse of the vibrant scene of Park Street, Calcutta’s bustling food hub: ‘Little Willie Walters, sitting on a stool at Magnolia, eagerly eating his ice cream . The hot air of the city struggles with the air conditioning as the sweet tastes begin to melt. Meanwhile, a three-piece jazz band fills the air with soulful tunes. Suddenly, the temperature of the room starts increasing by a few degrees.

‘Enter a stunning woman in a fish-tail dress that extends effortlessly to the floor. She has the aura of a Hollywood star, which mesmerizes you. Her eyes are fixed on young Willie, who is lost in the rhythm of the music and his melting ice cream. She winks at him, and in that moment, time stands still. Willie was so surprised that he dropped his ice cream. This is the moment that will forever link Jazz and Trincas in his memory, although he doesn’t know it yet.’

Willie, inspired by this unforgettable meeting, would grow up to imprint his name on the rich jazz tapestry of Calcutta. He would become a celebrated bassist, always eager to explore new musical horizons. In fact, before Willie passed away this year, he was instrumental in leading a jazz renaissance in Trincas with the Willie Walters Quartet, born in 2022 on those magical weekend afternoons (Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 3 p.m. ) was for. “It was born because Willie Walters had an extraordinary ability to mold a group of musicians—who had never played in a jazz band—into a seamless group,” says third-generation restaurateur Anand Puri, who is at the helm of Trincas. Are on. From 2019 onwards. Anand’s parents took over the restaurant in 1959 and introduced live music, thus converting the former tea room and bakery (originally established in 1927) into a restaurant with live floor shows.

A snapshot of ZLB23 Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Anand believes that although jazz is widely talked about today, very few people understand it. “To keep it accessible, we focused on jazz standards and maintained a light atmosphere, ensuring everyone could connect with the music. By doing so, we revived jazz in Kolkata, turning every Sunday afternoon into a special experience,” he adds. Despite the traditionally slow lunch service on weekends at Trincas, occupancy has increased by almost 100% at jazz afternoons, proving that this genre is a significant attraction.

music to our ears

Jazz specials and live nights are becoming common in restaurants and bars in India. While only a few establishments host dedicated jazz nights every week or month, the genre is becoming popular due to its ability to create the perfect atmosphere for a cool night out.

During my last visit home in April, I visited AMPM Kolkata, one of the many cocktail bars that have sprung up in the last year and a half. Despite the acoustics needing some fine tuning, I was impressed by the number of concerts held there. Although there was no dedicated night for jazz, my friend and marketing consultant Mahima Awasthi, who hails from Kolkata and is a regular at AMPM, told me that Paddy [Pradyumna Manot]The Music Director, has brought great credibility to the music program at the establishment. “I love jazz nights. Not only does it attract a larger audience because of its appeal to a broader demographic, but the intimate setting of the cocktail bar is perfectly suited to this style,” she says.

An artist performing in Trincas Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Piano Man Jazz Club, a full-service restaurant, bar and music venue founded in 2015 by classically trained pianist and entrepreneur Arjun Sagar Gupta, is one of the handful of establishments in India dedicated to jazz. Arjun believes that the primary function of a music venue is to create awareness and access to different types of music. “There was no dedicated space for jazz. One issue was the lack of venues, and the other was the need to address systemic problems such as payment to artists, access to professional equipment and proper training. Often, jazz is used as a trendy term, but in reality, it is often played in restaurants or bars where the music is just a background element, not the main focus,” he says.

Piano Man Jazz Club opens second branch in Gurugram in 2019 Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement

A jazz festival is going on at The Piano Man Jazz Club in Gurugram. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

At ZLB23, Kyoto Speakeasy at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, jazz is an integral part of their concerts. Madhav Sehgal, Area Vice President – ​​South India, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, says the jazz played at the Speakeasy is a unique blend of styles, including bebop jazz, rock and blues, Latin, soul, bossa nova and Carnatic jazz. Are included. “We also feature a variety of bands from around the world. For example, we hosted MaMoGi, a dynamic group known for their blend of progressive rock, electronic music and jazz, featuring eccentric bassists Mohini Dey, Gino Banks and saxophonist Mark Hartsch,” he says. .

Arjun believes that for audiences who are not very well acquainted with the genre, it is important to make them comfortable. For example, in Trincas, the quartet combines familiar lyrics with vocals, making it a lighter version of jazz than more instrument-centric styles. This approach makes jazz more enjoyable for a wider audience. Unlike the previous setup, before I took over, where jazz was a background element in a specific setting; We combined entertainment with food, giving people a chance to enjoy both together,” he says.

Arjun believes that it is difficult to sustain a jazz club. This was one of the reasons why when they expanded to Gurugram and Saket, they decided to invest in larger venues as their small club faced limitations. “Even with high occupancy, we are still struggling to break even. Larger spaces allowed us to address these issues. Our second and third venues aren’t called The Piano Man Jazz Club; Instead, he has been named Piano Man, which reflects our growth and development,” he says.

behind the scenes

Pune-based jazz singer Sonia Teresa Sehgal, who has been in the business for more than three decades, says, “There is a lot of new talent out there. Some singers have a deep understanding of jazz, while others sing it simply because they have to. When you’re not fully invested in the music and are just singing it to fulfill an obligation, it doesn’t come across as authentic.

Sonia often has managers and music programmers requesting her to do a jazz night, so she always clarifies whether they want ‘jazz jazz’ or something ‘jazzy’. She further says that there is a huge difference between the two. “Most of the time, they want something attractive, which suits the ambiance of the venue. If they specifically ask for appropriate jazz standards, it’s important to consider whether the venue and its audience are associated with that kind of music,” Sonia says.

trincas Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Parvati M Krishnan, lead singer of New Delhi-based multi-genre band Parvati La Cantante, believes there are two different worlds when it comes to jazz. On the one hand, there is a segment of people who are attracted to jazz because of its “cool quotient” and the social status of being seen at a jazz venue. On the other hand, there is a large group of jazz lovers in India who really appreciate the music. “I have had the opportunity to sing at jazz events and have seen people of all ages come together to enjoy performances from around the world. This culture of deep appreciation for jazz continues to flourish,” says Parvati.

Parvati M Krishnan Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

However, he believes there is a challenge, with many venues wanting to host jazz music and looking for a certain “classy” vibe, but also attracting high quality bands and supporting a sustainable jazz culture. Are reluctant to invest the resources required to do so. “They often try to work within limited budgets, which leads to hiring less experienced musicians who may not deliver the best performance. This approach can push true talent to the background, where it has to struggle to gain recognition and maintain a career,” Parvathy concludes.