MAGIC of Jazz

Goethe Zentrum and Hyderabad Western Music Foundation presented Max Clouth and his team in a Jazz concert at Secunderabad Club Sailing Annexe. Max hails from Frankfurt in Germany. He has been influenced by John McLaughlin’s bands Mahavishnu Orchestra and Shakti. There is a deep sense of understanding of the ‘Alaap’ and the Indian ‘Taal’ system in Max’s style of presenting a Jazz concert.

‘Return Flight’ is a milestone album of Max which was recorded in Frankfurt and Mumbai featuring nine musicians from three continents including songwriter T L Mazumdar, sitarist Hindol Deb and percussionist Ziya Tabassian.On this occasion, Max played many interesting pieces titled ‘MR’, ‘Delhi Jaipur Highway’, ‘Salt Lassi’ and ‘ Chowpatty’.Max has always been inspired by the thoughts of bridging the gap between Europe and India.

His music has that longing of the world becoming a place without barriers. He was joined on stage by talented singer Varijashree Venugopal who opened with the famous Kannada song ‘Krishna Nee Begane Baro’ of Vyasatirtha set to Raga Yaman Kalyan.

The beautiful soft notes by Max accompanying the song along with beats on drums by Martin Standke and Bass guitar playing by Jonathan Sell took the audience into a very different space. After Raga Charukeshi and Raga Rudrapriya, it was the turn of the audience to ask for more.

The program ended with a composition ‘Letter from Gaza’which was a tribute to the happenings in Gaza. One thing was very clear from the flow of music.Max has good knowledge of Indian music apart from his Jazz experience and could easily create that magical evening for the large audience.

By Jaywant Naidu