NICOLE SUARES
Jazz music appeals to a spectrum of enthusiasts across the continents. From its humble origins in the African-American communities of New Orleans in America, it found favour with Goan virtuosos like Braz Gonsalves, Chris Perry, Chic Chocolate and the Monseratte Brothers, who jazzed up the music scene with their exceptional versatility.
Jazz Goa has kept the playful, soulful, edgy genre alive in Goa for the past 12 years with their annual celebration concert on International Jazz Day on April 30.
The 2024 edition will be at the Garcia de Orta Jardim (Municipal Garden) in Panjim from 7 pm onwards.
Jazz musician, Colin D’Cruz, founder of Jazz Goa, at the forefront of promoting the genre since 2010, was the first to celebrate the day in India with their concert in Panjim since UNESCO launched the first global event in 2012.
“Jazz Goa has always kept the event free of cost to the audience because of the invaluable whole-hearted contribution made by hundreds of artistes over the last 12 years,” says Colin.
JAZZ GOA 2024
The evening brings talented musicians for an eclectic mix of improvisations at the concert. Age is no-bar as the event opens with Goa’s ace percussionist Carlos Gonsalves, followed by the Gavin Ferreira Trio, a group of youngsters.
The line-up includes 12-year-old guitar prodigy Daniel Gieles from Hyderabad, India’s well-known artists like Merlin D’Souza, Hemaa Sardesai, Joe Alvares, Chrystal Farrell, The Salim John Blues ensemble from Siliguri, Matteo Fraboni from Italy and many more.
The edition will have the largest number of artistes featured so far.
Colin has actively and consistently promoted jazz music for over 12 years through Jazz Goa, an organisation that promotes this music in Goa. He says that it “was the need of the hour and the first thing I set up after moving to Goa.”
Of his journey, he says, “Jazz Goa has grown in leaps and bounds locally and globally, with our music aired on the world’s number one jazz radio station, Jazz FM 91 based out of Toronto. We have recorded over 200 albums and will re-launch the weekly Jazz Goa Jazz Hour on Radio Indigo soon.”
Jazz Goa's music broadcast on social media, YouTube, cable TV and radio stations continues to showcase talent across the State. If you fly into Mopa airport, you'll be greeted with Jazz Goa’s music on arrival.
Their music broadcast on social media, YouTube, cable TV and radio stations continues to showcase talent across the State. If you fly into Mopa airport, you'll be greeted with Jazz Goa’s music on arrival.
Jazz music, Colin elaborates, “is the music of the moment created in the moment. This is what makes it so special. It’s all about emoting and interacting between musicians onstage and the audience.”
So, why not join Jazz Goa in keeping the music alive at Garcia de Orta on April 30, 2024.