Jazz you like it

An insomniac RJ blowing hard on her trumpet, a psychology teacher hypnotised while playing the keyboards and a radiologist experiencing heaven on the saxophone.
No, this is not a Louis Armstrong concert gone wrong, but the Jazz Junkeys, probably the only amateur jazz group in the city, doing what they love — playing jazz.
Under the stewardship of Jazzy Joe, saxophonist and clarinet player, the Jazz Junkeys'' passion is only too apparent. Says Joe Pereira (aka Jazzy Joe), "I taught these guys how to play from scratch for periods ranging from six years to a few months." Each Jazz Junkey had a long-standing fantasy about playing music, but thought it impossible.
Joe convinced them that music could be played by anyone regardless of age or talent. Six years ago, one of his students, Milan Sangani, a chartered accountant who was learning the clarinet, mooted the idea of getting the students together for a workshop. Milan organised it at his residence. Over time and regular workshops, Joe was able to condition them to play in a group.
Says Kirandip Swani, a spice exporter, "One of our first performances was at US Club. We didn''t realise how successful the show was until the barman came up and said that they had run out of soda and ice!" From then on, there was no looking back. They''ve performed regularly at Not Just Jazz by the Bay ("We are so many that sometimes we can''t even raise an arm without hitting somebody''s music stand.") and their next performance is scheduled on December 15.
Two weeks ago, some band members played at the National Defence Academy in Pune. Says Jehangir Jehangir, also a member of the board of Jehangir Art Gallery, "The response was phenomenal. The auditorium was packed."
Though Jazzy Joe will perform along with Rupak Kulkarni at this year''s Jazz Yatra, which begins on November 21, the Jazz Junkeys may not be going on stage. Says Jehangir, "It all depends on Joe''s moods. We are still amateurs, and the Yatra is at a professional level." Though the full strength of the band is 25 to 30, not all members can come together for performances and rehearsals always. But that never proves a deterrent. Says a grinning Jasmine Jehangir, probably the only lady alto sax player in the country, "When we meet up, we actually land up having a lot more fun than playing music!"