Sharanya Gopinath with Chennai-based jazz band Many Things | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
After a week of hard work, everyone deserves a place to relax and a soundtrack. As jazz sees an unprecedented interest across the country, Hyatt Regency has carved a niche for fans with Jazz Nights every Friday at its 365 AS Bar.
Marten Visser | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
General manager Ruban Das says the move is partly inspired by his years in Kolkata where he studied. “When I was growing up in Kolkata, artists like Louis Banks and Pam Crane used to play in various clubs across the city. I thought why not bring jazz to Chennai as it is the kind of music that goes with the place. It is very speakeasy as you can talk with your friends while enjoying the music. We intend to continue with jazz evenings for the rest of the year.
Although the bar has been hosting these evenings since January, Chennai-based jazz band Many Things comprising jazz saxophonist Marton Visser, bass player Arvind Murali and drummer Manu Krishnan gave their first performance last Friday. He set the mood for the evening with ‘Mercy, Mercy, Mercy’. Maarten will perform solo every Friday, and with the band every last Friday of the month.
Sharanya Gopinath | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Singer Sharanya Gopinath, popular for numbers like ‘Lovia Lovia’, ‘Na Rumba Biji’ and ‘Pori Masala Pori’, performed old favorites like ‘Fly Me To The Moon’, ‘Girl From Ipanema’ and ‘Girl From Ipanema’ leaving the audience in a dreamy state. ‘Heat’.
Stating that “there is a lot to learn while performing,” Sharanya says, “Although I have a little training in Western classical music, I am not a trained jazz singer… Whatever jazz songs I know, They’re because of other musicians who introduced me to them or I just found them. My favorite artists are bass players like Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong. Jacob Collier is more like a multi-instrumentalist.
Jazz nights start at 7 pm at 365 AS, Hyatt Regency, Teynampet. A table can be booked for ₹2,000, which can be redeemed for drinks or food. Call 9884369333 for details.