The greatest Jazz Pianist, Duke Ellington, once quoted - “By and large, jazz has always been like the kind of a man you wouldn't want your daughter to associate with.” Till the last sunset of 2009, I completely agreed to it, because as every common music lover who has grown up on the fodder of rock, hip-hop or even love songs, Jazz music can seriously sound very boring. Until, I was part of the recent Jazz Music Festival organized in Dubai, which touched such chords of my mind that Jazz now, has become on my list of favorites, at least some!
The festival flagged off from the 10th of February 2010 till the 19th and although I was slogging my backside off while the commoners enjoyed the mesmerizing tunes and pianos, the whole ambience was just magical. Long palm tress swaying with the wind, people sipping their martinis and Heineken’s and Honey Kumar, standing at the gates and checking people’s tickets! A total testing time of my valor.
I have always loved saxophones. The seductive lucidity that they lay bare has always managed to trap me and this time, I had the privilege to listen on to, one of the western world’s most renounced saxophonist – Marion Meadows. With his braided jet brown hair, and striking costumes, he could have easily passed off as a junior version of Bob Marley, at least in personality. But when, he starts playing, Bob might just start
ball-dancing in his grave, the effect is so profound. The very way that he holds the saxophone, reminds you of a man, when he first falls in love…
James Morrison. Period. Which jazz lover or admirer would overlook this new age musician who has carved a niche and is indeed known so as a modern day Stevie Wonder. With the likes of his first solo hit, “You give me something” and his suttle French avant-garde looks, any lady would swoon over him. So did I. His soulful voice together with his modern day comprehension just blew me off the top. Hearing this man on the radio is a random routine but watching him perform live in front of a romance hungry horde (you could see some ravenous lovers seizing the moment) was untainted enchantment!!
The most musical 3 days of my life introduce me not only to a breathtaking American harmonious creation but also gave me a start in this not-so-friendly city of mine…Dubai.
