There was a resounding “yes” from my wife when the band
announced their origin being Shillong India. She lived there many many years
ago, and nostalgic memories of obviously good times came up with that
announcement.
Like almost to everything, there was a good and a bad side
to that resounding, at least if you also look at it from a literal perspective. Sadly Singjazz that evening was almost empty
and the yes echoed a bit up into the high ceiling.
That again had its good sides because I could do what I rarely
do and that is move around to pick different angles of the Sing Jazz Club stage.
Good bad ugly aside, the opener was fantastic and my wife’s
evening and therefore mine were made.
Especially because the singer has an “oh so lovely” voice and the music
was not disturbed by conversation around us. It was luxury to have a band like
this perform for us almost privately and who ever reads this should now be
jealous!!!
My wife mentioning that Shillong was quite famed for its
music culture, made me curious. So I went on line and looked for some
information about Shillong.
For India standards it’s really a small town of
about 150000 no I did not miss a zero. Initially I did not see a lot of
references to music until I found this.
A NY Times music article which, for me, totally unraveled
the mystery of why this young woman standing in front of the band sang the
blues like she was born in Chicago.
The other band members also appeared to be very serious
musicians.
2 are full timers and the
others have a link to family or own businesses ranging from hospitality to
education, which according to the article is big business in Shillong.
Of course we sat out all three sets, that were filled with
bluesy, jazzy, funky covers and originals. We chatted with the band members in between
sets:
Amit Mullick Guitar
Jeffrey Z. Laloo Bass
Ribor Mb Keyboard
Sam Shullai Drums
Sarahlee Nicholas Vocals
Very nice people, friendly…warm. Life cannot be too bad in
Shillong.
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