NCPA plans to promote jazz in India with new 4-member band

In a welcome announcement for music lovers, the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA) will launch its own jazz collective here on Friday to popularise the genre in India.

The jazz band comprises four noted performers -- Pradyumna Singh Manot, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Abhinav Khokhar and Saurav Ghosh.

"Jazz is one of the most eclectic forms of expression the world of music has ever witnessed. However, the jazz scene in India is not as developed as it is in other parts of the world," NCPA said in a statement.

Latin Jazz Pianist, composer and music educator Manot, who believes Jazz is "one of the strongest music forms in the world" and one that teaches a lot, is the leader of bands like "4 On A Swing" and "Paddy and Friends".

"The Jazz fever in India is growing for sure, although even then Jazz is not the most popular. It is among the least listened to genres because all the musically challenging genres like Jazz and Classical are not only tough to play but also not easy to listen to.

"But of late, there has been an increase in the number of people listening to Jazz and those trying to play it," Manot told IANS in an email interview.

"There is a minor growth in Jazz; I hope, and I want the NCPA Jazz collective to usher in the next line of battle in the world for Jazz," he said.

The remaining three artists include vocalist Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, a graduate from Berklee College of Music; Abhinav Khokhar, a budding bass player; and Saurav Ghosh, a drummer and percussion player.

(With inputs from agencies.)