Mumbai based Suburban Jazz Ensemble was formed in 1995 by bassplayer Colin D'Cruz with the intention of featuring India's lesser known albeit, accomplished jazz virtuosos. Over the years the band featured pianists Tony Pinto, Xavier Fernandes, Bonny Remedios, saxophonists Saby Dias, Joe Pereira, Noel Thomas, Trombone players Hannibal Castro, Blasco Monsorate, Trumpet players Frank Dubier, Bosco Monsorate, drummers Lester Godinho, Alan Moraes, Rex Monsorate and just about every accomplished Indian jazz vocalists like Ursula Fernandes, Yvonne Gonsalves, Jeanne Michael and Natasha D'Souza to name a few. The bands repertoire is made up of straightahead jazz standards and switching personnel has always given the band an interesting new sound at every performance.

The Suburban Jazz Ensemble has been in and out of five star hotel residencies, clubs, corporate events, festivals, concerts and now looks forward to performing at Olive Beach Restaurant in Bangalore again on the 18th of July after a great success in the beginning of July. The lineup this time will include Xavier Fernandes-vocals/piano, Colin D'Cruz-fretless bass and Rex Monsorate-drums.

Madras-born Frank Dubier’s earliest childhood memories are learning to play the drums when he was seven! His mother Beatrice was the well-known violinist and pianist; thanks to her, Frank was able to master the violin at a remarkably young age. By his early teens, Frank was inducted into the Madras Governor’s Band, where he got a firm grounding in music. It was there that he picked up his love for wind instruments, such as the Trumpet, Clarinet, Saxophone and Flute. His first love though, is the Trumpet—an instrument that he is identified with.

Frank has moved around. He has led bands and worked with India's jazz greats, such as Pam Crain, Louis Banks and Braz Gonsalves. He has done stints in Calcutta, Delhi and Bangalore. Frank’s years in Delhi also saw him as the main flute player for the Delhi Symphony Orchestra. It was during this period that he got to interact and jam in with international jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Cat Anderson, Rolf Erickson, Miles Davis, Buddy Rich and Herbie Hancock.

Frank also made a name for himself on jazz circuits in Australia, UK and the US, during his many sojourns abroad.