Jazz Utsav 2008 at FICCI Auditorium

Yes, it’s that time of year again. The only time I can put away my cds of Mingus and McLaughlin, Ella, Shorter and Scofield, for a few days. That’s because the annual Jazz Utsav is in town!

Earlier known as Jazz Yatra, this fest goes back almost 30 years and is still as popular. Jazz thrives on improvisations and what better than the Utsav to showcase that? This year’s eclectic mix of bands reflects the increasingly universal nature of jazz while it retains its roots in the traditions of African-American music that gave birth to it.

Come the 28th and you can swing to the Norwegian Hot Club de Norvege and then the Thomas Siffling Trio from Germany. Whet your appetite with Honor Heffernan and Trio from Ireland.

On day two, the 29th (when you’re practically living jazz!), let’s hear it for the Polish Wojciech Konikiewicz and Trio. Jive to the beats of the Harri Stojka Gypsy Swing Ensemble from Austria; and as a Chak De! moment, bring our hands together for our desi band, Global Unity — Sanjay Divecha (guitar), Karl Peters (bass) and Adrian D’Souza (drums) are leading jazz musicians in India. And we in Delhi know Peters and D’Souza well, having heard them at earlier Utsavs. Does it get any better?

And on the final day, groove to the notes of the Dutch-Deutsch collaboration Henk Muegeert Band with Miett Molnar; come alive with the Canadian Francois Bourassa Quartet; and round it up till another year with The Ploctones from the Netherlands.

Sound good? It sure does to me!

Jazz Utsav 2008, FICCI Auditorium, Tansen Marg, New Delhi, Nov 28, 29 and 30. Tickets: Rs 300 each day, available at Steakhouse, Jorbagh, and at the venue on the days of the shows. Or email capitaljazz@gmail.com. Gates open at 6.00pm; Shows: 6.30-10pm.