Teen bands will jam to help street animals live a better life
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In times when electronica continues to dominate concerts targeted towards the young crowds, finding fans of jazz and fusion in this age group seems like a far-fetched thought. And even more surprising is when they not only appreciate the genre but also jam like pros. The Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Bai Sakarbhai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals are hosting a fundraiser featuring three of the city's most sought-after teen bands.
The bands performing at the event include Cathedral & John Connon School's The Cheese Quarter +, The A Team, which is a mix of kids from the Ambani and the American School along with Cathedral & John Connon School, and a 23-student ensemble of The Students of the Special Music Training School. Recalling their first gig, 14-year-old Aryaman Meswani tells us, "Our first concert was at the race course at a festival. It wasn't too long but, it was a great experience because there were more than enough people watching and gave us an idea as to how to give your best, better our practice, and get rid of stage fright."
Their four-piece band, The A Team, started simply as a Ragalabs project with Mahesh Raghvan, a Carnatic and fusion musician. Soon after, with guidance from their parents, the band added more members to their squad, making them the A team, that they are today. "The concept of Ragalabs is fusion. So, we had to incorporate that element. Ours is a good blend of Indian classical to contemporary pop, and we love the use of tabla, as that has always best suited the genre,"adds Meswani. The Cheese Quarter + started off as a study group that would jam during breaks. When in Standard VII, they held their first gig at Blue Frog. "We have performed primarily for causes close to our hearts - such as Songbound, Salaam Bombay and Welfare of Stray Dogs. Over the years, our band has evolved into an instrumental jazz quartet, and now, we've added vocals too," says Vikramaditya Dugar, saxophonist.
The bands have picked their own songs under the guidance of their mentors Yohan Marshall, and Saurav Ghosh from the True School of Music. The funds raised from the event will be utilised to procure medical supplies and develop infrastructure to help sick and injured animals.
When: January 17, 6.30pm
Where: Tata Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai
Cost: Rs 500- Rs 1,500
Call: 66223742
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