International Jazz Festival to bring Grammy and Emmy-nominated icons to Mumbai

The three-day annual International Jazz Festival 2023 will witness Grammy and Emmy-nominated jazz icons from across the globe

It has been over a decade since the International Jazz Festival (IJF) started in 2011 at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai. Since then the scale of the festival has only got bigger. This year’s edition is bringing a line-up of artistes recognised for their mastery in jazz music.

There will be live performances by pianist, composer, and musician Thilo Wolf, and his Big Band (jazz orchestra), which features singers Johanna Iser and Torsten Goods (Torsten is also a jazz guitarist), and vibraphonist Florian Bührich.

The line-up also includes American pianist Emmet Cohen, and jazz trumpeter-vocalist Benny Benack III. The last day of the festival will see Cuban musician, Alfredo Rodriguez weave a tapestry of sounds followed by singer Jane Monheit who will also perform with four other musicians.

Farrahnaz Irani, Head of International Music, says, “This edition of IJF showcases artistes from different styles of jazz. These artistes are internationally recognised and known for their high-calibre performances”.

The process of bringing the Grammy and Emmy-Nominated jazz icons was rigorous for the organisers. After an initial screening process of the international scene, they narrowed in on artists who matched their interest and style. “The discussions about making it happen spanned more than a year, as we secured all the different pieces of the puzzle required to curate a show in keeping with NCPA’s standards,” says Farrahnaz.

An encore from Thilo

Thilo Wolf who performed at IJF in 2022, says he is delighted to return to Mumbai. “Our first trip to Mumbai was not only a wonderful experience musically, but we also received an incredibly warm welcome. We are delighted to be able to return to the Jazz Festival after such a short time, and hope that this time we will generate just as much enthusiasm.”