
Jazz music has a rich and evolving history in India, with its roots stretching back to the early 20th century when colonialism brought Western music into the country. The story of jazz in India is one of fusion, experimentation, and constant innovation, as it intertwined with local musical traditions and found a home in the cultural landscape of the subcontinent.
The journey of jazz in India began in the 1920s, with the arrival of American jazz bands performing in clubs and hotels in cities like Mumbai and Kolkata. The first traces of jazz were heard in elite social settings, where Indian musicians were introduced to Western instruments like the saxophone and trumpet. The early Indian musicians, influenced by Western jazz but grounded in classical Indian music, began to incorporate these new sounds into their own compositions.
As jazz slowly gained traction in urban India, it adapted to the local context. In the 1940s and 1950s, big bands and swing orchestras became a prominent part of the Indian music scene, particularly in cosmopolitan cities. Musicians like Late Shankar Jaikishan and others in the film industry incorporated elements of jazz into Bollywood soundtracks, further popularising the genre.
However, it wasn’t until the late 1960s and 1970s that jazz began to fuse more overtly with Indian classical music. The collaboration between Western and Indian musicians became a hallmark of the genre, with prominent figures like jazz pianist and composer, Vijay Iyer, and saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath leading the way. These collaborations brought a unique blend of ragas and talas, creating a distinctive sound that resonated with Indian listeners.
The late 20th and early 21st centuries witnessed the rise of jazz festivals and dedicated venues across India. Jazz clubs in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru became vibrant spaces for both Indian and international jazz musicians to come together and experiment. Artists like Louiz Banks, Ranjit Barot, and others emerged as key figures in the Indian jazz scene, pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz and incorporating influences from rock, electronic music, and fusion.
Today, Indian jazz is a dynamic and ever-evolving genre. With the rise of global influences and the internet, Indian jazz musicians continue to push boundaries, blending traditional Indian instruments, rhythms, and melodies with the improvisational spirit of jazz. This continuous evolution promises an exciting future for jazz music in India, as it remains a powerful medium for cross-cultural dialogue and innovation.