Acclaimed Jazz trumpeter, Chris Griffin, had once said that Jazz is like a great void, it waits patiently until a brave musician takes control of space and time. And every year the capital bears witness to Jazz greats from around the world at the Jazz Utsav, who enthrall a bevy of Jazz lovers year-after-after. In its 33rd year now, the 100 Pipers Jazz Utsav, from the December 3-5, features an exciting array of artistes like Jazz-Blues guitar legend, Larry Carlton, Erik Truffaz, Ranjit Barot and Murcoff; amongst a star-studded line up that shall take the stage this time around. And the lovers of Jazz in the city and regulars to the festival are anxiously awaiting the kickoff of the extravaganza.
Talking about the special highlights this year that Jazz lovers can look forward to, Amit Saigal of Capital Jazz, informs, “The line-up this year is one of the best that we have been able to put together in the recent years. Larry Carlton, the festival headliner this year, is a living legend who has defined the Blues-Jazz space in music. Ranjit Barot, one of the finest world-class Jazz drummers in the country, will perform along with Dominique DiPiazza on bass and Tim Garland on saxophone. Then there is also the trio of Electronica musicians — Murcof (Mexico), Talvin Singh on the tabla and renowned French trumpeter, Erik Truffaz, who will play some really interesting contemporary Electro-Indian-Jazz music. And for those who like “funked up” Jazz, there is Jazzkomplott from Germany.”
The unmatched ensemble of Jazz greats has gotten music lovers salivating at the prospect of witnessing a spectacle of sorts at the Utsav this year. But this Jazz fanaticism in the city is a product of three decades of consistently living up to the expectations, says, T.R. Ramakrishnan, who has been involved with the Jazz Utsav for a number of years now. Recalling how the event has evolved, he says, “The Utsav, as we know it today, has evolved from the Jazz Yatra epics of the 80s and 90s. It’s a proud heritage to have — we celebrated 25 years of organising the festival in Delhi last year. But it’s a different era now, musically and organisationally, and it reflects the changes even as we try and retain the charm of the days gone by.”
And it’s not just the audience, but even the performers from the itinerary who are looking forward to experiencing revered legends and exuberant rookies share the stage this year. Ranjit Barot, acclaimed drummer and music producer, talks about his expectations and sums up, saying, “It’s a great platform to represent music and musicians of our country.”