CHENNAI: If you thought Chennai was missing out on jazz culture this season, perhaps it’s time to get your calendar out and free your evening this Sunday. From Swing to Latin Bossa Nova, Cuban rhythms and maybe even some Mambo, G Bernard and his band are all set to get you on a Jazz-night high. Bernard who is the frontman of the band says, “It seems like Jazz is just not getting its due in India and we want to take it to the next level.” He adds to his credit, “I’ve had the opportunity to share the stage with International musicians while performing at the Dubai and Oslo Jazz Festivals, so I’ve been quite fortunate.” With a line-up of veteran musicians that average close to 30 years of experience in the field each, ‘Smooth Jazz’ promises some high expectations. The other members include Francis Menezes (Piano), Meynard Grant (Drums), Phillip Kohlhoff (Guitar), Mark Wilcox (Keys), Tenny Allwood (Bass) and Donald Horn (Sax). Meynard says, “We’re all old friends, and we’ve played together many times over the years at different shows, hotels, festivals — so it’s going to be great.” And if you want a sneak peak into their setlist, you can expect classic tunes from the likes of Billy Joel, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole and of course, Frank Sinatra. Bernard points out, “We are also going to add in some funk and pop jazz for the youngsters, we’ve got a popular Michael Buble number that we’ll be doing and I do hope that people get out off their seats, come up front and dance a little.”(Smooth Jazz will be held on Sunday at the Russian Cultural Centre, 7pm. For details, call 9962084000)
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