One can transcend levels when one is listening to music and if it happens to be live jazz it is even better.
Olive beach Bangalore was infused with energy on Monday night as Amit Heri and band gave their inaugural performance.
It was indeed a splendid treat to the senses, amidst the glow of the candles and under a grand chandelier the band consisting of Amit Heri, Holger Jetter, Keith Peter, Hamesh and Mili Nair gave us a wonderful performance. The ensemble shared a comfortable chemistry with most of the compositions by Amit Heri .They also played a Herbie Hancock number amongst other jazz and pop standards. I specially enjoyed watching the shape of Heri's guitar and Holger Jetter's sleek improvised Violin. Heri further went on to display his virtuosity in "All the Things you are","Like someone in Love" and "What’s that Smell".
The Performance space enabled guests to watch from a particular point of view through the arches. I found it particularly interesting to watch from behind the sound mixer. Holger and Amit seemed to play a single instrument while Keith's electric bass playing floated through the lights and the guests. The Ambience and atmosphere was sensual allowing the mind to revel in an ethereal space.
"What’s that Smell?" was provocative and heady where Himesh's high voltage drumming made for an exciting climax.Holger's energy and drivemagnetized all present. It was a pleasure to watch Vocalist Milli Nair and Holger as they have a personality that mesmerizes.
I had hoped for more interaction between the Band and the guests despite the architechture at Olive Beach. By the end guests had snuggled close to the band to groove and watch the musicians. Live Music uplifts the soul in a special way which is why if you are in Bangalore on the 21st of April do come for the Gereard Machado Trio!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007. The stars were out, a big moon was around - and one could almost touch or taste the buzz up on Pune's Shisha jazz cafe rooftop, the eager hush and pause before swing-time, calm before jazz-y storm. After all, it's not every night that one can get to see/hear legendary Hindustani keyboardist/composer Louis Banks - and certainly not in such eclectic company as German saxophonist Tony Lakatos, Puerto Rican bassist Mario Sosa and 'little' drummer Gino, scion of and heir to the brilliant Banks legacy.
Ten minutes ahead of show time, a foliage-shaded nook was the closest ringside i could make. And what a perspective it turned out to be! A close-up view of Gino's amazing deft dexterous cymbal-riding right hand and wrist that seemed to turn more nifty and nimble with every passing bar. On the far side was acoustic bass-bopping Mario, whose head was in ever electric swirl, in sync with his fleet-finger forays up and down the fingerboard of his resonant acoustic bass. Alas, maestro Banks was completely out-of-sight (literally) and if all i could see was horn-man Lakatos' back, the torrents of keyboard and saxophone sounds seemed to invade my every sense to the brim - till my proverbial cup was running over. If you think I make too much ado, here's the nitty-gritty.
Shisha Cafe, is a wonderful place for our weekly jazz 'fix' every Thursday night, in the verdant environs of ABC Farms complex. It is designed and built like a huge bamboo house, one storey up amidst huge trees -and the feeling of openness amidst the thick foliage lends new colours and dimensions to a variety of jazz we keep having, the lucky denizens of Pune.
A jazz group from Pondicherry was playing there two weeks ago, and we went to the show. The group was called AV-3 (I may have misheard that) and I simply loved the violinist, Holger Jetter , with a brilliant young pianist who was probably French. Shisha was high on beer and Mehdi, the affable partner in the restaurant, had to shout in my ear... Holger’s violin virtuosity reminded me neither of Jean Luc Ponty who has been mimicked often nor of Stephane Grappeli who too gets imitated often. He reminded me in parts of old jazz violinists like Joe Venutti or Papa John Creach, if you have heard them...
Live Jazz Reviews 
