You can get better at making music, if you demand more: Sir Mark Elder

The final concert of the Spring 2025 season of the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) culminated with a performance on 15th February by Sir Mark Elder, one of Britain’s most acclaimed conductors, performing the works of Weber, Schumann and Beethoven.

The Blues Man = Alvon Johnson

The NCPA Soulful Blues Festival back for its third edition and promised to bring in the crowds to watch three great performers. The three day all American lineup featured Detroit’s ‘Queen of the Blues’ – Thornetta Davis, award winning singer Tia Carroll, and Alvon Johnson regarded as the ‘King of the Blues’ and the ‘Ambassador of the Blues’ in Russia.

Quincy Jones was my biggest influence: Ibrahim Maalouf

Lebanese-born French trumpeter and composer Ibrahim Maalouf has collaborated with various music artists over the years, including his Grammy nominated work with Angelique Kidjo. Maalouf blends jazz, classical, and his forte of Arabic traditions. With nineteen albums to his credit, and more to come, there’s no stopping Maalouf from creating music that he loves.

My parents recognized that I had a gift for music: Matthew Whitaker

At just 23 years of age, pianist Matthew Whitaker has not let his visual disability come in his way of becoming a professional jazz pianist. Today, the masterful player has traveled around the world and performed for the very first time at the NCPA International Jazz Festival 2024 in November 2024.

The Musical World of Israeli pianist Darya Mosenzon

Tel Aviv pianist Darya Mosenzon began her career as a classical pianist and moved to Moroccan and Algerian music. Darya performed at Mumbai Piano Day on Saturday 28th September 2024 at the Tata Theatre, NCPA. The 34 year old musician who only recently released her first self - titled EP ‘Darya’, discusses her early days as a musician, pianist and composer.

Indian Opera comes alive: Darwin Prakash

The renowned ‘Operalia’ came to India for the very first time. Hosted by the NCPA at the prestigious Jamshed Bhabha auditorium, the competition is the brainchild of living legend Spanish tenor Placido Domingo. The annual event has brought some of the best voices ever, since the competition began in 1993.

Boy band Blues: The Wanted

The Wanted have all the ingredients of a boy band. Good looks, good melodies and above all, music that would make you cuddle up or jump onto the dance floor. As is with boy bands, the one thing you can expect them talking about is about love, love and more love. The boys of the Wanted harmonize well, their vocals are pretty amazing.

Magic Strings: Ahmet Baran

We are all used to listening to the mesmerising sound of the santoor, an instrument made famous by the late Shiv Kumar Sharma, but have you heard of the Turkish Qanun, which is similar to the Santoor?

Jazz and Beyond: Eliane Elias

Grammy award winning Brazilian jazz pianist, singer, composer Eliane Elias performed her brand of jazz at the Tata Theatre on Thursday 30th May 2024.

Woman Power: Titi Luzipo

South African native Titi Luzipo performed on 20th April at the 4th Edition of Banyan Tree’s World Jazz Festival. Alongwith the Thapelo Khumisi Trio, Luzipo performed a set based on South African Jazz Legacy pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim and American pianist Horace Silver.