For two days in February, legendary Blues musicians, including Buddy Guy will congregate from different parts of the world to share their love of music. Indian Blues bands on what it means to be part of the music festival
For two days in February, legendary Blues musicians, including Buddy Guy will congregate from different parts of the world to share their love of music. Indian Blues bands on what it means to be part of the music festival
The first weekend in February will be home to some serious Blues, and legendary musician Buddy Guy is likely to shoulder at least part of the blame. "I wouldn't be playing were it not for these guys.
It's been my dream to jam with him," says Rudy Wallang of Soulmate, who is looking forward to sharing the same space as his "music hero" during the Mahindra Blues festival. 
Buddy Guy
Rudy is not alone. Jayanta Dasgupta of Saturday Night Blues Band says he too is looking forward to meeting the man who played a big part in shaping his musical leanings.
What to expect
The two-day festival will also feature US singer Jonny Lang, guitarist and singer Matt Schofield from the UK, American vocalist Shemekia Copeland, the Saturday Night Blues Band and the Luke Kenny Mojo Jukebox.
The festival will also include a music workshop by Matt Schofield (see schedule), which musician Luke Kenny is looking forward to attending.
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"The Blues is a genre that hasn't been given its due in the city or for that matter in the country," says Luke, adding, "The Blues is the elementary school of music. It's where you discover every genre of music."
Right now
For Rudy, having a festival dedicated to Blues music is a means to reach out to a generation that is likely to be unfamiliar with the genre.
"People sometimes say what are the Blues! [Just some] big old guy rambling about someone leaving him. But if you scratch beneath the surface, it's really about the things that make us all sad," elaborates Jayanta.
But while homegrown bands are looking forward to rubbing shoulders and exchanging notes with their idols, the bottom line is that everyone is there for the music. "Everybody has their own blues. We want to play the Blues to make people happy," says Rudy.
"It is exciting for us to play for people who have congregated for one love. It's like my family," he says, adding, "It's those few seconds when you know the audience is breathing for you. That's the power of music. You can't see it, you can only feel it." "The Blues are going nowhere," concludes Luke.
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On February 5 and 6
At Mehboob Studios, Bandra (W).
Tickets Rs 3,000 for season ticket (Saturday and Sunday); Rs 2,000 for single-day ticket
Call 39895050 Tickets also available at Rhythm House and Costa Coffee outlets in Juhu, Khar, Lower Parel and Powai.
Log on to https://mahindrablues.com
The schedule
Saturday, 5 February
7 pm to 7.45 pm
Luke Kenny Mojo Jukebox (Stage no. 1)
8 pm to 9.30 pm
Shemekia Copeland (Stage no. 1)
9.45 pm to 11 pm
Jonny Lang (Stage no. 3)
Sunday, 6 February
11 am to 12 pm
Music workshop by Matt Schofield (Recording studio)
(Email ganesh@oranjuice.net to register for the workshop. Total capacity: 75)
5 pm to 6 pm
Saturday Night Blues Band (Stage no. 1)
6.15 pm to 7.15 pm
Soulmate (Stage no. 1)
7.45 pm to 9.30 pm
Matt Schofield (Stage no. 1)
10 pm to 11 pm
Buddy Guy (Stage no. 3)
Celebrating poetry with the stars
Bollywood stardust was in full attendance at the book release of Pritish Nandy and Kamal Das' compilation of poetry, In Tonight This Savage Rite, on Thursday evening. Seen here are (from left to right) Anupam Kher, Katrina Kaif, Pritish Nandy and Gulzar. The late Kamala Das and Nandy had come together in 1979 to work on these poems that celebrate love. Now, over 30 years later, this compilation has been revisited, with a new look and design along with a set of fascianting illustrations by Manu Parekh.
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