Rolling Stone: Review of NCPA International Jazz Festival, Mumbai
“Was it an earthquake or a volcanic eruption? Why was the earth shaking under my feet for close to three hours? It was actually the Mingus Big Band playing at the NCPA Tata Theatre on Friday, November 25th to open the three-day NCPA International Jazz Festival.”
“Jazz musicians are said to be telling stories in their playing of individual solos; in the case of Mingus, he seems to have woven intricate stories into his compositions. Each time one of his pieces is played, another aspect of his story is unraveled. The Mingus Big Band, dedicated to playing his music, played it would seem, several volumes of his stories on Friday.
In my 50 years of listening to live jazz in Mumbai – and that includes hearing a battalion of jazz greats – I cannot remember another occasion that left a similar impact on me.”