A never-to-forget day – when some of the greatest classical jazz performers were in the eyes of the excited audience in the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, of New York University (NYU).  The band consisted of four performers; Larry Coryell – humanising on the guitar, George Brooks – slurring on the saxophone, Ronu Majumdar – melody on the flute, and Aditya Kalyanpur – rolling on the tabla.  When Jazz and Indian music were mixed together, it sounded like two disciplines of music fusing together.  These two genres with their great collaboration have made their place in the history of music.

Those who believe that they are exclusively in the right place are generally those who achieve something.  These dexterous musicians had a purpose to make perfections to achieve, not primarily to entertain the audience, but to achieve a perfect blend of west and Indian music.  The concert had started out with George Brooks’ song- “Akashik”, where the guitar and the tabla players thronged harmoniously the auditorium with the soul of the beats of the song.  The saxophone and the bansuri flute added luxuriously to the melody of the music.  The performers elaborated this as ‘all the knowledge of the universe.’ “Joge Jazz”, composed by Ronu Majumdar, really had no ‘jazz’ into it.  One couldn’t really see the West and Indian blend, even though they tried.  The “Dubai Dance”, by Brooks again, gave me a feeling of the Middle East, as it was played with a unique approach.  The song was virtually danced by Coryell and his strumming.  Coryell’s “Train-Brazil to India” was like a boogey ride on the train. But the song was more concentrated on its notes and not on its flow, which made it sound awkward at times.

All of these songs played sounded somewhat similar, as if it had a similar foundation or format.  Solos by the musicians were unique in every music.  In some music, they would change the scale of the song, or they would increase or reduce the tempo.  Some songs were tributes like- tribute to Ronu Majumdar’s father.  On the other hand, Larry, on his guitar, composed a song as a tribute to his wife.  Although this song was emotional, it could have been better, if the guitar was better tuned.  It sounded like a story of Larry’s good times with his wife and that how much Larry missed her.  One thing is for sure that no one can really do anything perfectly, because music, when played at that moment, cannot be imitated by any person.  It would surely sound different.  The jazz group, even after so many pros and cons, are able to accomplish their goal to reflect the beauty in music.

However, the repetitive playing of each and every song also really drove one crazy.  When the songs were given the impression (by the musicians) of its ending, the audience would clap; expecting the song to end, but it would start again a couple of times.  It was quite confusing when to clap.  Some songs were too long, and some songs were too short, which made the show little boring, for these reasons.

On the whole, the concert was quite appealing and impressive.  Larry and the Bombay Jazz had mingled together to make that night a beautiful moment.  The concert was so magnificent that it kept all the audience hooked to it with everybody moving their heads and feet.  In fact, this unique pair has been successful in fusing together to make an enthralling piece of music.