Leading women jazz musicians shed light on where jazz music stands in India

A graffiti of Pam Crain and Louiz Banks in Park Street, Kolkata. Pic Courtesy/@Rajdeep.Mukherjee.923

Room for opportunities

Growing up, I heard of people raving about Pam Crain. I sing with uncle Louiz (Louiz Banks) and many of the scores he hands out till date during rehearsal have Pam Crain written on them.

Jazz is big again today. I remind youngsters that the scene is buzzing and they really must make the most of it. So far, I have not encountered any gender-oriented issues professionally between musicians. At that level, it is a type of meritocracy for sure. Many women make as much as or more than their male counterparts in the genre.

Vasundhara Vee, singer
My reccos:
. Sunny Side of the Street by Roberta Gambarini
. Guess who I saw today by Samara Joy
. Agua de Marco by Elis Regina
. A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square by The Manhattan Transfer
. Dear Ruby by Carmen McRae

More female vocalists

I believe there are more female than male vocalists in jazz music today. Whether it was Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan, these singers stole the show but were also accompanied by musicians of brilliant calibre. I do not believe in comparing musicians. The vocals and music of these divas was pure and unique, and it is
still remembered.

Pam Crain in performance

Jazz is a niche bracket, and hence, it is always difficult to break through. Sadly, venues to play jazz at are far and few in between. There is a lot of young and brilliant talent emerging, but none quite like Pam Crain. She was a unique and dynamic woman. I would not even put myself in comparison. Then again, jazz is freedom to sing as one wishes to. Among the vocalists I really admire are Yvonne Gonsalves, Radha Thomas and
Gloria Menezes.

Sonia Saigal, singer
My reccos:
. Wild is the wind by Nina Simone
. Detour ahead by Dianne Reeves
. Maiden voyage by Nnenna Freelon
. Skylark by Carmen McRae
. Strange fruit by Billie Holiday

Signs of positivity

My initial stars were Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Astrud Gilberto, Carmen McRae and Sara Vaughan. Then, I was introduced to Pam Crain; she was a literal diva in her time - an exceptional vocalist and so glamorous. I remember meeting her in my 20s.

She showed me such kindness and positive feedback on my singing. Back in her day, there were live music venues specifically catering to jazz music. The genre was part of our cultural fabric. We don't have that so much now. The potential is there, and there are younger female singers turning to jazz music today. That is a positive sign. But we need to create
awareness and spaces to cater to jazz music. We need a more informed audience.

Dominique Cerejo, singer
My reccos:
. Round midnight by Carmen McRae
. Night in Tunisia by Chaka Khan
. Corcovado by Sarah Vaughan
. Cherokee by Dee Dee Bridgewater

Lack of avenues

It is always tough for female musicians in any genre. Then again, jazz is also aspirational music. People enjoy it, but do not truly understand it. It does not have an audience in India, unlike overseas.

Among the current lot, I think Vasundhara Vee and Sonia Saigal are among the few who truly understand it. I also think the genre has diversified. Influences of jazz are entering independent and popular music. The trouble is that the new talent that emerges is forced to turn to these options. We need more avenues for a star to rise.

Merlin D'Souza, multi-instrumentalist
My reccos:
. Sinnerman by Nina Simone
. Summertime by Billie Holiday
. Ipanema by Astrud Gilberto
. Round midnight by Carmen McRae
. My funny valentine by Sarah Vaughan

Still foreign music

While the international scene had many female divas who sang multiple iterations of a song, it was never the same in India. Apart from Pam Crain or Kitty Sequeira, there were few iconic voices. I think Sonia Saigal is a fantastic and explosive voice that I love.

To be honest, there is no jazz scene in India, especially for a vocalist. Here, people prefer Indian music and Indian food. Jazz, in the country, has the same status as French cuisine, liked by a select few. It's excellent if you cater to the right audience. The rewards come mainly from peer approvals.

Radha Thomas, singer
My reccos:
. Twisted by Annie Ross
. Baltimore oriole by Helen Merrill
. How high the moon by Ella Fitzgerald

Pam Crain was India's best

It was thanks to Ella Fitzgerald that vocalising became a form of jazz presentation and the singer became an integral part of the jazz ensemble. As such, Pam was a jazz musician by herself. She could improvise like an instrumentalist. Her voice was a first for Indian jazz. She had a rich voice and her beauty mesmerised the audience. Undoubtedly, the best jazz singer we have had in India.

Louiz Banks