The Brass Room at ITC Royal Bengal came alive with the sound of music on June 16 as Django N Blue — Rupsha and Soham — performed classic jazz and blues tunes. The Telegraph chat.
How was the response?
The gig was fantastic at TBR; a full house with people of all ages. The audience were thrilled. The spirit of jazz and blues is still alive, especially when it’s being carried forward by our generation.
Why is the venue special?
The Brass Room is not just a venue, but an overall experience. The acoustics, ambience and overall hospitable atmosphere makes it an excellent choice for live music, not to mention the beautiful decor and selective choice of food and drinks at a price that is very much worth what the experience offers!
What are some of your fave songs from the set list? Why do these songs speak to you?
Some of our favourite songs from the list are Dream A Little Dream Of Me by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, I’m Gonna Find Another You by John Mayer and 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon. These songs have something which most songs nowadays lack. Simplicity and good melody.
With lyrics that are relatable and touch one’s heart to strong harmony, jazz and blues is the birth and origin of all music. Everything is deep rooted in blues. They are a perfect example of how beautiful music can be when written and composed properly.
What was the starting point for Django N Blue? Why form this duo?
It was formed in 2020. We started recreating music by collaborating with various artistes from all over the world, during lockdown.
What kind of changes would you like to see take place in the live music scene in Kolkata?
With live music picking up after a very difficult phase of Covid-19, we would surely like to see more venues hosting dedicated live music. There is immense talent hidden in Kolkata and its potential is untapped. With more venues opening up, it encourages more musicians to come forward and share their music with the world. We have plenty of platforms to release music on social media, but to perform them live is an altogether different experience, which everyone must experience in their career.
What’s the story behind the black-and-white video you made on Instagram? The one where the two of you take the rehearsal outside when a storm hits!
We have always found a strange connection with nature and music. While we were practising the famous Cry Me A River, a storm brewed outside. We immediately ran outside with our instruments and felt a connection with the lyrics, tune and the storm, as if everything made sense finally. It was a harmonious fusion of nature and music. It felt heavenly.
What’s next for Django N Blue?
We are looking to expand our horizon in terms of musicality. We would like to get into more traditional jazz and blues standards. We are planning to tour at the end of this year and extend ourselves geographically.
Pictures: B. Halder
