-More than expectations around giving concerts myself, I really look forward to hearing classic Indian music live, Nils-Olav Johansen says.
Festival in four cities at the same time
Jazz Utsav is an annual festival held in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Pune og Calcutta. This year, when the festival starts the upcoming weekend, it is for the 25. time. The festival is an example of the musical co-operation between India and Norway. The co-operation started in 2002, and is supported by The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Norwegian jazz artists such as Karin Krogh, Bugge Wesseltoft and Come Shine have all visited the festival in earlier years. Now, it’s time for Nils-Olav Johansen Quartet.
Special relation to Indian music
Nils-Olav Johansen is a guitarist and vocalist who has put his mark on Norwegian jazz music for several years. The Quartet is put together for the occation, and consists of drummer Thomas Strønen, bass player Ole Morten Vågan and saxophone player Knut Riisnæs, as well as Nils-Olav Johansen.
- I always wanted to go to India, most of all because of the classic Indian music, which always has been special to me, Johansen says.
Close ties between jazz and Indian music
Both jazz and classic Indian music are based upon improvisation. That’s why so many jazz musicians all over the world are fascinated by Indian music. - I got to know Indian music by listening to John McLaughlin’s music. His music is based upon Indian music’s methods of improvisation. Since that, I’ve listened to a lot of Indian music, and now I really look forward to hearing it in its own country!
Nils-Olav Johansen Quartet is going to play in Delhi, Mumbai og Pune, as well as giving school concerts and workshops. -I think the Indian audience will recognize the music we are going to play, because it’s a kind of hybrid between European and American jazz tradition, Johansen says.
Jazz Utsav takes place in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune og Calcutta from 19.11
The festivalen was former known as Jazz Yatra.
Supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The co-operation between Norway and India has been renewed several times since the beginning in 2002, last time in 2008, through an extensive agreement towards 2012.