---- recounting the origins and evolution of Jazz. But the element that captures them is when I describe and demonstrate, via CDs of popular songs (Beatles, Sinatra, My Fair Lady, West Side Story and other show songs, even Clapton songs that they know) played jazz style and playing the piano myself, how to decipher the "noise" and recognise it for the improvisational music it is.
They are surprised and fascinated when they discover Jazz adapted to Yiddish, Russian and other improbable folk songs. The Eureka moment for many who are most familiar with Indian music, including Bollywood, is when I make and demonstrate the comparison between Indian classical music and Jazz - and how they are rooted in the same principles. John Coltrane's "My Favourite Things" absolutely seals it! That a high priest of jazz, Coltrane, was influenced by Indian music and Indian spirituality, and named his son after his friend Ravi Shakar, has them awed. Not a talk that can be recorded - because it moves along down different lanes and gullies,depending on how the audience responds. S
