Latest news with #SanjayDivecha
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Sanjay Divecha brings snatches of solo album Leela to Bengaluru
In a career spanning 35 years, seasoned guitarist-composer Sanjay Divecha has been a part of many bands, including notable ones such as Cross Currents with Zakir Hussain. In the past, he has played for and performed with the likes of Dave Holland, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chris Potter, Eddie Daniels, Shankar Mahadevan and Louiz Banks, Angelique Kidjo, Carlos Santana, Michael McDonald, Fred Raulston, Dave Weckl and more. Sanjay, who has just released his new solo album Leela, went to music school but says his learning also came from being in the room with different musicians. He says, 'Luckily for me, in so many bands I was always the weakest link and that is such a great place to be, you know?' Bengaluru specials Arguably, that warmth and humility is what goes a long way in music. While he is often surrounded by fellow instrumentalists and vocalists on stage, Sanjay's run of upcoming shows in Bengaluru will be a wholly solo undertaking. Three intimate performances, two masterclasses and one listening session is part of his itinerary here. There will be a composition and improvisation masterclass on July 6 at the Indian Music Experience, followed by a solo acoustic performance in the evening. On July 7, Divecha will conduct another masterclass at Bangalore International Centre in Domlur and perform at the same venue on July 8. On July 10, there will be a listening session for Leela at Ram's Musique on MG Road, and a final solo acoustic performance at the Sabha on Kamraj Road on July 11. Mumbai-based Sanjay says he is happy to return to the city where he spent a few years and occasionally visits. He says, 'Opportunities to play solo guitar concerts are events I've been preparing for, for many years, and getting a chance to do that in Bengaluru is something I am quite happy about.' While he will be performing from Leela, Sanjay says he intends to combine it with music from his previous albums, all the while leaving room for improvisation. He says, 'A lot of this will be spontaneous; I'll read the room and design a set. With time, I've become a bit more comfortable in changing things around in the moment.' During the masterclasses, there will be some playing as well as a discussion on the importance of a good foundation. Providing 'technical information' is one thing, but so is having a mentor or guide, says Sanjay. 'I went to a music school, but I believe all the important lessons I learnt were from other musicians who guided me.' Here and now After spending much of his life in the United States following his graduation from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles in 1989, Sanjay returned to India in 2003, becoming a fixture in the country's jazz circuit. In addition to being part of bands such as Merkaba, his own trio, and the act known as Sanjay Divecha & Secret, he has been working with rising artistes such as Ananya Sharma, who he says helped him co-produce Leela. 'She had the responsibility of ensuring this project panned out,' he says, adding how important it is to have another musician's ears and production skills while cutting an album. Leela, which released in June, is a solo guitar-led journey which pays tribute to the likes of jazz-fusion legend John McLaughlin and Bossa Nova pioneer Antonio Carlos Jobim aka Tom as well as pianist Karan Joseph. Leela comprises tracks with collaborators such as vocalist Vasundhara Vee, percussionist Anand Bhagat, pianist-composer Harmeet Manseta, vocalist-harmonium player Apoorv Petkar and others. Through his roomy, dynamic acoustic playing, Sanjay and his collaborators not only take us to places that inspired him — from the Himalayas to Cameroon and Brazil, but also journey inwards with meditative intent. 'The title refers to the divine Leela, joyous and playful, yet a profound act of creation,' he says in the album note. The artiste is among those still championing jazz (among other styles) in India and says while it is encouraging to see music schools come up, nurturing is still the need of the hour. 'I suppose decision makers should be bold enough to push these things, and we need more venues as well. There is no dearth of talent, but it needs to be nurtured.' Details of Sanjay Divecha's shows in Bengaluru are at
Deccan Herald
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Sanjay Divecha's new album features a collection of guitar solos
Noted jazz guitarist Sanjay Divecha released his latest album on June 1. Titled 'Leela', it is a collection of songs from Divecha's solo guitar repertoire. The album has been in the making for about five months. .Divecha has been a jazz guitarist and composer for 35 years. Though he initially trained to play the sitar and learned Hindustani classical music, he picked up the guitar at age 15 and never looked back. 'I grew up listening to everything from Hindustani classical to Western classical, which my dad would play at home,' shares the 63-year-old. He would listen to music played on the radio, as well as music from films, and genres such as rock and folk music from Europe and America. .In 1987, Divecha moved to Los Angeles to learn jazz. He spent 15 years in the USA. During this time he played a variety of styles of music, from Afro-Cuban to Brazilian. When he returned to India in 2003, he learned Hindustani and Karnatik music all over again. 'My music involves and incorporates many sounds and different styles from all over, not just India, but also the world,' he says..A confluence of music and leads three diverse ensembles — Sanjay Divecha & Secret, MERKABA, and the Sanjay Divecha Trio. Sanjay Divecha & Secret uses the classical and folk traditions of India and various Indian languages, mixed with global sounds. The ensemble's albums represent Divecha's cultural identity. MERKABA's music is all rock, soul and blues based, with some jazz influences. However, he is most known in India for his jazz ensemble, The Sanjay Divecha compositions are generally about people and musicians who have left a mark on him or places that have inspired him. This is visible in 'Leela' as well. The opening song of the album 'When mountains meet the sky', was inspired by his trips to the Himalayas, and 'For Tom' is a tribute to Brazilian musician Antonio Carlos Jobim, fondly known as Tom. Recording the music of 'Leela' has been one of the most fulfilling experiences for him, shares the Mumbai-based Divecha does spend a lot of his time on stage and in rehearsals, he also finds time to give private lessons and hold guitar workshops. He believes that the best way to nurture talent is to have enough platforms for musicians to express themselves, especially for a genre like jazz that is niche and comparatively less popular in India.
