The band consists of the guitarists Sanjay Divecha and Amit Heri, Karl Peters (bass) and Adrian d’Souza (drums).
- We have played together two and two of us, in different constellations, and we all know eachother, but actually we have never played together in a band, the guitarist Sanjay Divecha says.
That in turn, does something with the music:
-The music we play on this tour is formed by each person's influences and way of playing, Karl Peters says.
Bija is a jazz group combining classical Indian music tradtitions with raga and jazz. This tour is a result of a collaboration between the jazz venue Blå, The Mela Festival and Concerts Norway, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is the first time the well renowned musicians visit Oslo.
Not an easy life
In India, jazz is still a marginal type of music, althoug the interest is growing:
- Very few people listen to and appreciate jazz in India, although it's getting better. That means it's impossible to make a living only as a jazz musician, the four of them say.
-I decided to live by music. In order to do so in India, you have to be open to all genres, Karl Peters says. - So we make jingles, we compose, we play rock, pop, R&B as well as Bollywood music, Adrian d’Souza fills in.
They all agree that it is not an easy career to choose, but it was the only right option.
-Music is a spiritual quest, Amit Heri says. - When you go for perfection, when you really want to learn more and get better in what you do, money is not important.
-I feel very lucky, now I've reached a place where I can actually live by music, Sanjay Divecha says.
The first sound
Bija means seed sound in the yoga philosophy.
-It is the beginning sound of the universe, Amit Heri explains. -It symbolizes sound, energy and vibration - which makes it a good name for our band!
Bija is playing at the jazz scene Blå in Oslo (August 4) and during the Mela Festival (August 6.- 8.).