Director of the Bangalore School of Music, heading the Jazz & Contemporary music Dept., Music Relations, concerts, events, programming. He was also involved in programming, producing a Jazz programme on air on Radio Indigo as well as a world music show in syndication with Putumayo World Music.
Self taught guitar player, composer and founder of MoonArra, based in Bengaluru, India, Jagadeesh is an experienced guitarist performing with pop, rock, jazz and fusion ensembles for three decades. From a young age, Jagadeesh was exposed to Indian Classical sounds as well as Western Classical music. Playing both nylon guitar and electric steel string guitar,Jagadeesh has been collaborating with Dr. Prakash Sontakke & Karthik Mani, Pianist Norbert Kael & Percussionist Tamas Siska and Hoppal Mihaly from Hungary, Aion Quartet Switzerland, Saxophone players Peter Natterer from Austria, Phil Scarff USA and and Biggi Vinkeloe Sweden, Flautist Leszek Wisniowski from Poland, Moroccan artist Gnawa Mal-em-Abdellah, Israeli Jazz Band Katamon Cherry, Malaysia based drummer Lewis Pragasam and Asiabeat and other more.
Jagadeesh continues to be part of an International jury for the successful Seven Virtual Global Jazz Contest now in its 10th edition. Jagadeesh continues to network with musicians and organisations both locally and internationally as part of his events interest.
Can you tell us more about your professional background? What’s your main field of work today?
I am a full time professional musician, performing, touring and composing music with our ensemble MoonArra. I am also Director at The Bangalore School of Music, handling Cultural, International Relations and Heading the Jazz Dept. Along with co-founder Madhuri Jagadeesh I curate the monthly Cafe Jazz Sessions involving and mentoring young jazz musicians in the city. I also organise the annual Jazz Day in association with Jazz Day USA. I curate and perform with our ensemble MoonArra at ZLB 23, a premium speakeasy bar and at other outlets. Besides, we have also begun jazz appreciation and jazz improvisation finally continuing into jazz education.
How do you see the state of jazz in your country? In which direction is it going?
Jazz is still very niche but growing slowly and has a steady following in the main cities. The number of young musicians improvising and showing interest in jazz is also growing. I see jazz combined with Indian classical as the direction in which Jazz is going in India.
Make three names of musicians that innovated jazz music in your country
1. Louis Banks – piano
2. Zakhir Hussain – tabla
3. Prasanna – guitar
What’s the name of a new talent you are particularly fond of?
Vivek Santosh – Piano
What’s your favorite genre within jazz? Why?
I love all kinds of jazz but Latin Jazz with it’s infectious Bossa and Samba rhythms remains my favourite.
Do you think that schools can teach improvisation?
Schools can mentor and guide musicians but improvisation is a very personal thing.
Name a record that every jazz lover should own.
Kind of Blue – Miles Davis
What are your following projects?
Working on collaborative albums with musicians in India and overseas, working on productions film and stage. Working on creating unusual audio, video and live productions, simulated and spontaneous. Working on tours next year to spread our Indo Jazz to all corners of the world!
