A bright intrusion of fusion - tribute to the Amit Heri Group

I went randomly to Vaayu in Eva Mall in Bangalore last year, to watch a jazz group I’d never heard of, perform. It turned out to be a mind blowing display of fusion music that provided a stimulating feast for the eyes, ears, skin and soul. The Amit Heri Group consists of seasoned musicians with excellent technique, timing and feel. Individually and as a group, they freely improvise to create pleasant vibrations that frequently gave me goosebumps. The music was a magical mix of Indian classical with rock, funk and jazz. I had to find out more about the architect of this marvelous musical entity. What followed was a heartfelt conversation of what it takes to connect with the audience as a fusion performer, the future of jazz and music education in India.

Amit is a schooled musician, who learned the piano at the age of 9. He then picked up the guitar when he was 12 and sitar when 14. A pursual for a serious education in music took place in 1989 aged 17. He went to study jazz performance and composition for his undergraduate degree in Berkeley. “I went to Berkeley at an age where my mind just opened up. Sometimes if you don’t have that opportunity you will get stuck with what’s here. Traveling and seeing other places gives you a diverse perspective and can help you to contribute in a different way.” He has also studied and grown up on Carnatic music.

So, what does it take to become a good fusion artist? The music is twice as complicated as playing or composing one type of music, because it requires a thorough understanding of all styles of music involved. Amit points out how “Unfortunately, there are very few people who have this understanding or depth. First of all you need to be a strong musician yourself. Then you have to know what the other music is about and feel it in a way that’s natural.” He has noticed that a lot of people get into fusion music, “just to get on the bandwagon.” He stresses on how lots of Indian classical musicians are culprits of this shallow mentality, “They don’t understand western music concepts, structures or have an emotional relationship with that music. They get together just because it’s fashionable. Anyone can call a drummer or a guitarist, pay them money, and ask them to play. Very few people do it in a way that is authentic and that has depth.”

Amit’s advice for aspiring musicians is simple, “First concentrate on the music. Many people play music for the glamour. But if you don’t have depth, it won’t sustain you, even if it’s commercial pop music.” He suggests studying what great musicians have done in the past and using that information as a tool to come up with something original. “Take time to develop your skills by having a strong foundation so that when a great opportunity arises, you’re ready for it. Don’t worry about the goal at the end. Just concentrate on what you need to do right now.”

In spite of the plentiful availability of western education in India, there aren’t many choices for contemporary music fields like jazz, rock or pop in India. People interested in opting for this line, tend to flock to foreign countries. However, many get too caught up with the excitement of going abroad, that a realization strikes after they reach, that their musical ability is inferior to people from the west (because this stuff is taught in high school). Amit feels that this could all change quickly, “Anyone interested in making an investment to open a couple of really good schools with good teachers, is looking at a great opportunity. There are so many people and no real decent schools. If someone opened a great school in Bangalore for contemporary music, not just classical, it would do very well.”

Along with the proliferation of foreign influences in our lives and lifestyles, Amit is optimistic that Jazz and music in general, can only go up. The change is noticeable when one looks at the number of big acts performing concerts in India, and the increase in platforms like Vaayu, Bluefrog and Opus that have music as their agenda for people to perform. “Earlier there might have been more musicians playing at home. With more platforms, clubs and festivals, the growth of the music scene, naturally gets better. Bluefrog for example, has concerts everyday, which promotes a culture for people to go out and more musicians to come. People always want entertainment and there are always going to be takers for music no matter what style.”

His upcoming new album (set for release in October) is comprised of works originating from various regions in India such as Leh, Shillong, Goa and more. Basically he went to different villages, found out what the traditional folk and classical music was, recorded it as the core melody and composed songs around it. The tricky thing about folk music, is when heard in its raw form, it might be difficult for an audience unfamiliar to that culture to relate to it. So the challenge is to breathe a unique expression into it and make it appealing to an audience today. “India is such a treasure for music. The concept of this album is to take those treasures and to bridge it into a modern contemporary language that people can appreciate and evoke an emotional response.”

One of Amit’s most amazing attributes is that he is constantly smiling while playing on stage. It’s an infectious demeanor, which spreads to the band and the audience. I had a strong feeling yoga and meditation was accountable for this attitude. Amit confirmed my prediction and added that, “when you are in a profession that has to do with energy transference like music, I believe that its important to tune yourself and state of mind to a good place because that’s what you transmit to other people.” He further elaborated on the key thing to performing being, creating a connection out of positive energy, “Life is about overcoming negative with positive. A lot of the music that we play can be quite complicated. Sometimes people can’t get what that is when they think from the head. But everyone can appreciate positive energy that comes from the heart, by relating to it with their own hearts.”

In my opinion, the Amit Heri Group is a powerful musical being that’s able to sway the emotions of the audience to blend with the emotions of the band. “Sometimes in life some of us get that calling this is what you need to do. Even if you find yourself in a different place you have to make a move so to speak so that you can do what you want do,” comments Amit Heri whose calling I believe was to make emotional connections to people through music. Whether it’s listening to the sound of the sitar on a guitar, participating with claps to the vocal percussions of Konakol, or watching a group of highly trained musicians thoroughly enjoying their music, the Amit Heri Group is a spectacle of virtuosity and limitless creativity, that’s guaranteed to delight and excite anyone interested in wonderful music.

http://www.myspace.com/amitherigroup