JAZZ : BETALBATIM CONCERT , 10 OCTOBER 2004

HERITAGE JAZZ TO SET GOA ABLAZE WITH MUSIC

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 Betalbatim. Sunday 10^th October. 6:30 pm. Rebelo Mansion. A sense of occasion  prevails over the extensive grounds dressed for the event – the building and trees festooned with lights outlined against the sky, manicured pathways and lawns; tents, tables, chairs , a bar and a food servery enticing relaxed enjoyment; and a serious involvement zone with chairs attentively curved around the semi-circular stage built around the central tree that spread its luxuriant foliage protectively over the stage.  Keen enthusiasts poured into the two arms of the L-shaped arena and overflowed everywhere in the ample surroundings. The sound system carried the music to everyone.

         

 People arrived dressed for the occasion, their clothes reflecting their attitude to the event.  Some were in evening dress, resplendent with jewelry, shawls, the works. Some came in their Sunday best while others holidayed with their clothes, casual, unusual, comfortable.  Mixture and experiment was the keynote of the evening.  The mood echoed the sense of enjoyment, participation and readiness for anything.  And they got more than they bargained for. 

Sanjay Deshpande opened the evening with a Suitar solo.  He has designed a sitar which can be played standing slung around his neck like a guitar! The sweetness of tone and the fluidity of notes was a delight.  Nothing could be sweeter than his Suitar.

Gopalnath Kadri and S Harikumar squatted on the stage and battled harmoniously exchanging, echoing, intertwining, interacting, competing, collaborating in infinite explorations of the tonalities of saxophone and violin sonorities.  H. Subramanian with his ghatom and gandhira and R. Balachandran on the mrubangam spiced up the central happenings with supporting and interjecting percussive effects.  The audience was totally captivated.

Then hell broke loose.  And the people went wild.  Lester Goudinho, drums, Colin D’Cruz, bass, and Carlos Gonsalves, percussion joined them in unforgettable fusions.  This was an indescribable experience.  One could only surrender to the magic.  You had to be there to feel the energy of the moment.  This was live music at its best.  Knife-edge jazz.  Harikumar had not played with Kadri before nor had the western jazz musicians with the Indian musicians.  Yet here they were creating the most incredible music.

          

The Roses in Harmony comprise three members of the Rose family – Marshal, saxophone, Mozart, guitar, Connie, keyboard, brother, nephew and niece of the famous Alfred Rose.  Our stellar jazz trio from the previous item – Lester, Colin and Carlos – completed a tight jazz ensemble which projected Goan musicians playing inimitably.  Cool jazz for a really cool night.  Each member a soloist blending together in enchanting musical cocktails – stirred, shaken, jiggled, frothed to perfection.  A welcome mixture to be sipped lingeringly after the heat that came before.

S Harikumar climaxed the evening with the two Indian percussionists, Subramanian and Balachandran, and the Goan jazz trio, Lester, Colin and Carlos working themselves into a frenetic competitive interaction showcasing the virtuosity and creative genius of each musician.  The brilliance of the violinist was unbelievable as was his humility in providing opportunities for others to shine in challenging solos that he instigated.  Neither the musicians nor the audience wanted the evening to end but midnight was creeping up so Harikumar brought the concert to a close with an amazingly inventive rendition of the National Anthem.

Jergson Rebelo, his family and Armando Gonsalves were the inspiration and the motivating force that brought the concept of Heritage Jazz to life.  The overwhelming success of the evening has fired them to carry the torch to other Heritage homes and set them ablaze with memorable jazz concerts.

 LES MENEZES