It began with a classical music festival. Since then a flood of music festivals have taken Dhaka by storm and her citizens are not complaining. Again, November brings with it an array of cultural festivities such as the Dhaka Lit Fest, Bengal Classical Music Festival 2015, Dhaka Folk Fest 2015, and starting it all off, Jazz x Blues Festival. The Jazz x Blues Festival dedicates three evenings to celebrating yet another genre. Managed and organised by Blues Communications and presented by Grameenphone, the festival’s exciting line-up includes Louis Banks and jazz legend John McLaughlin.
Our country’s platform has already been graced by classical music greats from this region such as Vidushi Girija Devi, Ustad Zakir Hossain, Ustad Rashid Khan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia; Qawali master Rahat Fateh Ali Khan; celebrated composer A R Rahman and now adding to that list is English jazz maestro, John McLaughlin.
Jazz aficionados will need no introduction, but for those who may not be familiar with McLaughlin’s work, prepare yourselves for a brief lesson in music history. Born in a small village in the Yorkshire Dales, the jazz guitarist started playing the instrument at the age of eleven. By twenty-eight he had already performed with jazz guru Miles Davis. McLaughlin then went on to form his own band, ‘The Mahavishnu Orchestra’ in 1971 and later in 1975, ‘Shakti’.
It is not a coincidence that both his bands have Indian names. McLaughlin has spent a large part of his life immersed in Indian culture.
What is it about the Indian culture and music that attracts you so much?
Indian philosophy and music have been part of my life since the 1960s. My interest began from the philosophical point of view as Asia has been addressing the great existential questions of life for thousands of years. It was inevitable that I discover the music of India. In addition, there is much common ground between Jazz and Indian music. Improvisation with rhythm is a perfect example of this common ground. I have been working with Indian musicians for over forty years, so it’s natural that the Indian culture and its music have made a deep impression on me.
Is that why your music is frequently dubbed as ‘jazz fusion?’
I have never tried to play fusion music. The music is called fusion by the record companies for marketing purposes only. The music that is played by the 4th Dimension is the result of all my musical and other experiences, which not only include the great musicians of Shakti, but also my classical background, the work and recordings made with Paco de Lucia. Of course having played with the greatest musicians from the East and West, coupled with my studies into different
musicals forms such as Flamenco music and North and South Indian music theory, have all had an impact on my music. But never forget that I am, by discipline, a Jazz musician.
So with all these sorts of experiences under your belt, what do you have to say to the aspiring jazz musicians of Bangladesh about attaining the level of your expertise?
If you are serious about playing music for the rest of your life, you need to master your instrument to the point where you do not face any technical difficulties. Our audience expects the musician to not have problems that will come between the performance and the enjoyment of the performance. This is why lives are dedicated to the mastery of all aspects of music including technique. Besides, I’m sure you have some wonderful Jazz players in your country – you have had a rich musical culture for hundreds of years. I am really looking forward to coming to Bangladesh and meeting new friends there. I’m sure I will take away some marvellous memories.
Indeed McLaughlin has had quite a diverse mix of musical experiences. Starting with Tony Williams, he has played with Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana to name a few. He has worked with musicians all over the world such as the great Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucia and Etienne M’beppe who is originally from Cameroon and based in Paris.
And it is this prolific jazz career that cinches his place as the highlight and the most anticipated act of the festival. Come hail, come storm, the first night of the festival is sure to be filled to the brim with fans eagerly waiting to swing to the rhythm of McLaughlin’s strings.
On the clock
What was it like performing with Miles Davis?
Absolutely wonderful!
Major influences?
Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix and Pandit Ravi Shankar
Most challenging performance?
So many. The first live concert with Miles, the first concert with Shakti and the first concerts performing my two guitar concertos with symphony orchestra probably stand out as the most challenging.