What do you do when you hear a jazz group play Jazba Junoon? You marvel at the fact that the song sounds good in jazz, too!
The Ari Roland Jazz Quartet recently flew to Pakistan from the US last week to participate in a cultural exchange programme between the two countries. After a long flight, non-stop performances and workshops, the band looked none the worse for wear as they stepped on the stage with their instruments at the US Consul-General’s residence in Karachi. Acting Consul-General Jason Arkite took the opportunity to mention that music was a unifier of cultures and the concert was just one in a series of such between the two countries.
The Quartet consists of bass player Ari Roland, alto saxsophonist Zaid Nasser, tenor saxsophonist Chris Byars and drummer Keith Balla. They played their instruments individually, thereby giving a taste of what was to come. And the audience was not disappointed as the band played It’s a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong in soft lilting tones, led by Zaid Nasser. Dil dil Pakistan came as a pleasant surprise followed later by Jazba Junoon, both played flawlessly and with innovation.
Keith Balla, known as the baby of the group at 24, showed his mastery over the drums in Jazba Junoon. The remarkable thing was the way the band adapted the Pakistani songs to jazz music, without making it sound jarring or outlandish. A vigorous attempt from Chris Byars for audience participation in Hush Little Baby brought everyone to attention as they concentrated on the lines and came out with versions of their own.
Saima, a Napa student, was next on the guitar followed by the Hillary Music Group’s Hello, Dolly with the quartet which brought nostalgia to the older crowd.
But the highlight of the event was the fusion of instruments with sitar maestro Nafees Ahmad, tabla player Ustad Bashir Khan and the Ari Jazz Band. The result was magical to say the least, a lovely fusion of sitar, tabla, bass, saxophone and drums, with each player playing solo music and then blending in together, and with bass and tabla creating rhythmic ripples. What enthralled the crowd was the jugalbandi of the tabla and drums followed by that of the saxophone and sitar to perfection. The quick hand movements of Ustad Bashir Khan were brilliant.
The evening also included a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate Zaid’s birthday. He is a world-renowned saxophonist and jazz player, and son of the late jazz legend, Jamil Nasser. Zaid is mistaken by most for an Egyptian during his visits abroad due to his name and looks, when actually his roots are Afro and Native American.
Performing songs from the Golden Age of Jazz (1930s-50s) and inspired by the great masters such as Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie, the Ari Roland Jazz Quartet is a New York-based group and has been learning the art from the living legends of New York. They have received critical acclaim from jazz critics worldwide. Apart from their performances in the US and abroad, they direct international jazz programmes that bring young musicians together.
The Quartet held a concert with Fuzon the next day where they also performed a 'friendship song' they had worked on together.
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