NCPA is proud to host its first International Jazz Festival with a medley of internationally renowned musicians from November 24^th to 26^th 2017. Jazz is a unique form of music that crosses boundaries and has an ageless and timeless appeal across generations and a varied diaspora.

Farrahnaz Irani, General Manager –International Music says, “For the first time, audiences will be able to enjoy a series of acclaimed Jazz bands and soloists from India and abroad in a varied and interesting format combining experimental styles with familiar jazz standards and new compositions with others by the masters. We hope to set the ball rolling and continue to attract the best talent in this field so that audiences get an opportunity to enjoy top-notch music and jazz”

The first performance for the festival is the band, Latination. Latination is influenced by the great heritage of Latin and jazz music, from salsa, rumba, samba, cha-cha-cha, guaracha, cumbia or merengue, played in a unique style. The band will perform many original compositions in the unadulterated style of Latin-jazz music as well as classics. The band comprises of a mixture of French and Indian artists dedicated to Latin-jazz proving that cultural globalization isn't only a flaw in the world of art.

On the same day there is a foot tapping evening in store with The Kevin Davy Quintet who will perform music composed by Miles Davis, and some of the compositions strongly associated with him, as well as material by the U.K. trumpeter, Kevin Davy.Kevin Davy Quintet will play examples of Miles Davis’ early swing and bop-influenced compositions, through to his modal jazz period, and into the more driving contemporary rock and funk-influenced music of his later career. The performance will also showcase Marco Quarantotto (Drums), Serge NgandoPondo (Bass), Oli Arlotto (Tenor Saxophone) & Karim Ellaboudi (Piano/Keys).

Fans of Ella Fitzgerald are in for a treat - Loving Ella is a new project born for centenary of Ella Fitzgerald’s birth.Ella Fitzgerald, the undisputed diva of jazz music, was idolized by Simona Molinari and it was her goal to pay tribute to her with a great tour. The concert will consist of a narrative journey where Simona Molinari will perform the songs that marked the career of the singer as well as showcase some key anecdotes from Ella’s well highlighted private life: debuts, love affairs, passions, disease.

On the stage with Simona will be a special guest, the great musician, Mauro Ottolini, one of the most recognized musicians of the new Italian jazz scene, as trombonist and arranger.

For the finale no less than Greg Banaszak Quintet featuring Greg Banaszak- alto saxophone, Chris Anderson – trombone, Theron Brown- piano, Gianluca Liberatore- bass and Aron Nyro- drums is a celebration of the music of jazz greats like Ellington, Colltrane, Davis, Hancock and more. This concert features a classy tribute to the jazz icons that created the foundation of what is deemed as today's’ modern jazz standards. The evening begins with the Miles Davis beloved standard, Solar.Other items on the menu include works by Anderson and Brown and Mumbai’s very own, Benny Soans. After intermission, they continue with the Ellington standard Caravan and a tribute to the master of comic timing – Charlie Chaplin himself.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this Jazz Festival will be the Jam Session scheduled as a finale for the festival.In this Jam Session, most of the participants in the festival, certainly the soloists will be on stage together to perform a few well known jazz pieces as one band. The highlight will be the improvised solos that will be performed by each of the maestros. Improvisation tests and demonstrates the skills of the soloists to explore the piece to the limit.It is technically a difficult skill to perform impromptu on stage with new musicians. This 90 minute session of the Jam Session will be a treat for the jazz audience.

Performances