Iconic guitarist Derek Julien whose performance inaugurated the 31st edition of the Jazz Utsav here describes Jazz as more of a concept rather than a genre of music.
"You say genre, I say it's a concept, it's an approach, which is why musicians today are using Jazz to qualify what they do, you have a rock artist saying I play Jazz, so that's the richness of it. It is very intense music. If I were deeply into than I'll have to drop everything else, because it's so rich and the harmony and melody is so rich," says Julien.
The former Waterfront man was joined by students of Mussorie's Woodstock Jazz Band for the inaugural performance with his group 'Derek Julien and Friends' here last evening.
Citing similarities between Jazz and Indian classical music, the musician says he believes that Jazz is the classical music of west
"In Jazz you have a phrase or a melody and then artists improvise and expand on it. In Indian music you have ragas, everyone is playing the same raga but with different interpretations."
The proliferation of jazz festivals is an indication of the acceptance of the genre, he says.
"There is a rich audience for it, they are open for it and almost every Jazz festival is going like as full as it can."
The concluding performance on the first day of the festival was given by US-based Rudhresh Mahanthappa jazz alto saxophonist and composer.
Upping the tempo, Mahanthappa took over the stage belting out tunes peppy tunes from his saxophone backed by a drummer and a keyboard player gracefully following melodies of the saxophone played by the maestro.
Talking about his experience of playing in India, Mahanthappa says it's a mixed bag depending upon the geography of India and the audience.
"It's been incredibly varied, we played at Jazz festival in Pune a few days ago and it was like playing a rock concert, the audience was incredible. But then in Bangalore I don't know if anybody cared so it's like all over the map.
"I have an idea about a project to do something with songs that occur with children's TV shows but not the theme but a song that recurring within the show, maybe next year it will be out," the saxophonist says.
