Eyes pop out and ears are alerted as jazz percussionist Joost Lijbaart is just days away from performing in Delhi. The fact that this Dutch percussionist is one of the most popular names on the Scandinavian music space, makes the deal even more worthwhile.
His innate closeness to folk traditions, along with a sound understanding of improvisation, makes the artiste a delight for the eyes and the stage.
Teamwork Arts’ Jazz India Circuit is what’s got him to the country. It commences with a concert in Delhi-NCR, and then takes its fervour to Goa, as part of the Goa International Jazz Live Festival in December, and twin concerts in Delhi in February and March 2018.
The beats of Lijbaart’s drums will be matched with band Kitchensink’s instrumental collaborations, and Jazz Trio Syncopation.
He performs at the musical festival as part of his project ‘Under the Surface’, an improvisation trio with vocalist Sanne Rambags and guitarist Bram Stadhouders.
Jazz has been a great teacher for the artiste as its taught him the nuances of sound, but also given him a professional language of effective communication. He finds himself at ease as well as challenged by the medium. “Jazz for me is an intellectual comment on present (sub) cultures.
To keep this alive, it makes people more open for new things. Art in general is good for the society, as it makes them wonder about feelings and things around them,” says Lijbaart.
His ambition as a child was to become a master in science. Discovering new things made him joyful. Things changed when he reached his teens when music replaced science. “At that moment I realized I could still continue my quest with discovery, only this time it wouldn’t be science but music,” he says.
From then to now, curiosity has never left his side.
It prepares him to embrace learning and allows him to evaluate situations effectively. But all this is possible only with dedication and love, he says. Lijbaart takes music to the stage but not without passing your heart.
Quickly then...
Greatest enemy of creativity. Fear
What influences your happiness. Relaxation
A matter your head and heart conflict in. Ego
What are you most moved by. Honesty
What does India urgently need. Education for all its children
Jazz India Circuit with Joost Lijbaart: December 1, at 6.15 pm, Horizon Plaza, DLF V, Gurugram.