"Talent by the truckload" is a phrase that comes to mind when one talks about ace saxophonist, Rhys Sebastian D'souza. His show at the iconic NCPA, "Rhyme and Rhythm with Rhys Sebastian" displayed the brilliance and versatility of this young musician who is already an established name to reckon with and whose star status is on the rise.

Born into a family of musicians, he paid homage to his grandfather Sebastian D'souza who was an arranger for Hindi movies of yore. He expressed his gratitude to the people who have influenced and supported him, namely his mother Merlin D'souza, a well known keyboardist in her own right, Mrs. Blanche Viegas, his piano teacher, Jazzy Joe, Bombay's legendary saxophonist who taught him to play and gave him his first break, Louis Banks, India's best ever jazz keyboardist and mentor, his school principal Fr Larry, Mr.Ashish Shelar BJP politician and local culture promoter amongst others. Shelar also released Rhys’ two track EP titled ‘Rhywind’ that consists of two instrumental tracks Ajeeb Dastaan and Yeh raat bheegi bheeg. Produced by Music Mode Productions, Rhys gifted EP to each one present who attended his concert, it being not only as a memento of his concert but as a musical tribute to the musical genius of the legendary Sebastian D’souza.

Hosted by Asif Ali Beg who donned the stage name Stardust and kept the audience in peals of laughter at times, Rhys set was supported with a galaxy of the who’s who of the music world. You had veteran Tala Faral on keyboards, Vinay Lobo on guitar, Saurabh Suman on bass, Kishore Sodha on trumpet, Ramon Ibrahim on trombone and Gino Banks on drums, Rhys brought on guest artistes of varied genres and showcased his tremendous flexibility effortlessly switching from jazz, soul, gospel, rap, classical pieces with a jazz feel, old Hindi classics, Bollywood tracks as well as pop. There was something for everyone here.

Some of the highlights of the show were with his mother Merlin on grand piano, where he jammed in a funky mix of Beethoven's Fur Elise in ragtime, then had interesting sepia toned audio visual of him playing Hindi classics as arranged by his grandfather Sebastian D'souza interspersed with him, Rhys playing a jazz version live. He invited his classmate Shalmali Kholgade, a well known film playback singer to perform a classic Hindi piece Mera nam chin chin chu and Aaiye Meherbaan to Ed Sheeran’s super hit Sing. Vivienne Pocha, India's first lady of soul and also part of Merlyn's band Indiva performed a soulful Beatles cover Let it Be. The band also playedHerbie Hancock’s Cantaloop, the brass section excelling in every way replicating the magic that Hancock once set on this track.

Rhys displayed his vocal skills with an upbeat rap number on Mumbai titled Blow your horn and later brought onRavi Chary fusion sitar maestro who did an interesting take on Chick Correa’s Spain. When Stardust approached the sitarist with a shot of Tequila, Chary quick wittedly snapped”I have my own brand of Tequila.” Surely enough the guru gave an amazing jugalbandi with Rhys on The Champs Tequila.

Spotted in the audience lending their support to Rhys's big night were Brian Tellis and Neale Murray of Fountainhead (organisers of the Mahindra Blues festival amongst others), Vishal Dadlani frontman of rock band Pentagram, Etienne Coutinho theatre producer, Denzil Smith theatre and film actor and many well known faces from Bandra and other places.

Rhys has surely come into the spotlight on his own talent. Even though his mother was around for support, Rhys handled the show with practiced ease slipping in a few one liners too at a startled audience. He had showmanship, charm and professionalism packaged well. Dressed for the occasion suited in a maroon jacket, he was in his element. When he once pulled out black glares and then played the sax, we knew he not only made a style statement, but his baby face brought us to teen star Justin Bieber.

Rhys has a long way to go, Rhyme and Rhythm has given him the impetus to move on, there is certainly no ‘rhyme or reason’ to doubt this budding star’s wondrous talent which we are sure will take him places.

Way to go boy…!

By Verus Ferreira

Images: Facebook