Hi friends,
The first time I ever heard Jazz music was in the winter of 2006, when I watched Sharik Hassan play at a pub called Opus in Bangalore, India. I was 19 and he was about the same age.
Never before had I watched/heard someone use the piano to create sounds like that. I was instantly attracted to it, to the harmony more than anything. When I learnt that everything he was playing was improvised, I was simply in awe. Suffice it to say, it was love at first hearing.
Since then, my love for Jazz has been on a steady rise. I wish I could add āAnd that is how I became a Jazz pianistā. I canāt.
My relationship with piano and music⦠is a story for another time.
Given how over-scrupulous I have been about music, I outgrew mushy love songs fairly early on. But, when it comes to Jazz somehow, I thoroughly enjoy the indulgence and sentimentality.
Just to be clear, I am not talking about the ā
sentimental jazzā of Kenny G (or āKennyjiā, as we address with respect⦠ok sorry), who squeals his clarinet from atop elevators world over or takes over as soon as a customer care representative puts us on hold.
I donāt enjoy that in a hotel lobby even.
I am speaking of the likes of Chet baker and Bill Evans.
Now, Iām no āJazzcatā by any stretch, I only really started listening to these legends about 3-4 years ago. I would like to share some of their music with you today.
Iāve used āloveā five times in this email, if you havenāt realised already, so⦠Happy Valentines Day⦠I guess š
And happy listening!
Sumeru
P.S. If these recommendations make your ears bleed, please rush to an elevator near you.