In the bustling city of Kolkata, a vibrant tale seems to echo through the corridors of time, chronicled within the ‘Music@Trincas’ section on the official website of the iconic Trincas restaurant. A walk down memory lane brings us back to 1963, amidst the lively ambiance of Park Street, Calcutta’s renowned hub for culinary delights. Picture this: young Little Willie Walters, sitting on a stool at Magnolia, engrossed in his melting ice cream. The conflict between the warm Kolkata air and the cool breeze of the air conditioner creates a cozy chaos as a three-piece jazz band plays soulful rhythms in the background. There’s a sudden hush as an enchanting woman, fashionably clad in a fish-tailed dress, glides across the room. With a gaze straight out of a Hollywood classic, she captivates young Willie’s attention, winking just as his ice cream succumbs to gravity. Although Willie does not realize it yet, this moment permanently intertwines jazz and Trincas in his memory.
Such memories would inspire Willie Walters to contribute significantly to the tapestry of jazz in Calcutta. Willie matured into a highly regarded bassist, known for seeking new musical landscapes. Up until his passing this year, he was pivotal in rekindling jazz at Trincas with his ensemble, The Willie Walters Quartet, initiated in 2022 for those delightful weekend afternoon performances. Anand Puri, a third-generation restaurateur leading Trincas since 2019, expresses, “It was because of Willie Walters’ unique ability to unite musicians who had never before graced a jazz arrangement into a harmonious group.” When Anand’s parents took over the establishment in 1959, they converted it from a simple tearoom and bakery, first established in 1927, into a vibrant restaurant known for its live musical performances.
Today, Anand Puri notices that while numerous people discuss jazz, very few sincerely understand it. He says, “To keep jazz more relatable, we focused on jazz standards and maintained a lighter ambiance, enabling individuals to engage with the music easily. This approach revived jazz in Kolkata, making every Sunday afternoon feel special.” Even though weekends were traditionally slow for lunch service at Trincas, the introduction of jazz afternoons has doubled the restaurant’s occupancy, underlining the genre’s significant appeal.
Across India, jazz is making a resounding comeback, with ever-increasing jazz specials and live nights in restaurants and bars. Though only a select few establishments host dedicated jazz nights weekly or monthly, the genre’s ability to create a relaxed and intimate atmosphere is attracting many.
During a recent visit to Kolkata in April, I explored AMPM Kolkata, a new addition to the city with vibrant cocktail bars blooming over the past 18 months. Despite having some acoustical challenges, the venue was notable for its numerous musical events. While jazz didn’t have a dedicated night there, Mahima Awasthy, a marketing consultant and a regular at AMPM, applauded the credibility that Paddy [Pradyumna Manot], the music director, brought to the music program.
. “Jazz nights are an aesthetic experience here. They not only attract a diverse audience but the intimate cocktail bar ambiance harmonizes perfectly with jazz,” she remarks.
One of India’s few dedicated jazz establishments, The Piano Man Jazz Club, was founded in 2015 by pianist and entrepreneur Arjun Sagar Gupta. Gupta emphasizes creating awareness and access to various music genres. He notes, “Before us, there wasn’t a focused jazz venue. Problems like inadequate artist payments and lack of professional equipment and training were systemic issues. Jazz is often a catchphrase in places where it’s more background than the main attraction.”
In 2019, The Piano Man Jazz Club expanded, opening a second venue in Gurugram, followed by another in Saket. Gupta understood the challenges many jazz venues face and opted for larger spaces to manage these challenges better. “With higher occupancy, our smaller club still struggled. Larger venues made operations more sustainable,” he explains.
Pune-based jazz singer Sonia Teresa Saigal, a veteran over three decades, comments on newcomers in the jazz scene, “Some singers understand jazz deeply, while others merely fulfill obligations. Authentic jazz should be more than just a trendy endeavor.” Many venue managers, she notes, request “jazzy” performances, emphasizing the necessity to recognize whether venues genuinely value jazz standards, ensuring the audience and setting align with such music.
Meanwhile, Parvati M Krishnan, a New Delhi jazz singer, notes a dichotomy in jazz appreciation. For some, it’s about social prestige, but for others, it’s a true musical passion. She attests, “At jazz events, you see every age group relishing global performances. This genuine appreciation sustains jazz culture.”
However, Parvati highlights the challenge where venues yearning for jazz’s “classy” vibe may avoid investing in quality talents and resources, often settling for less experienced musicians, which affects the true essence of jazz and authentic, high-quality performances.
As jazz progresses through establishments like Trincas and The Piano Man Jazz Club, it continues to enchant diverse audiences and revitalize a cherished cultural legacy in India.
