Global music at local hubs

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Over the past few years, Delhi as a city had evolved multifold. Just like any other global capital, the music scene in Delhi too has become as cosmopolitan as it can be. Among the plethora of artists, the city is also home to some of the international artists who live and perform here regularly and enjoy fame just like their Indian counterparts.

Tanique Fossa, a multi talented saxophone player from Ukraine, who performs on occasions like fashion shows, launches, presentations and corporate events, feels that Delhi audience is very enthusiastic.
She says, “My music is generally either romantic or groovy, so the listener doesn’t need to be a professional music critic to understand it. But the sound of saxophone is comparatively new to India and I don’t want to make it even more exotic for the audience by playing new music in the genre. During my shows, I mix Indian and Western music to reach out to the audience.”
Fossa adds, “I like the fact that music is an integral part of Indians’ life since time immemorial, and the audience does not hesitate to share their emotions after the concerts. As a performer, I get many compliments from people in different countries, but what I got in India is beyond my imagination. Though saxophone as an instrument is at its nascent stage here, I feel through my experience, I can generate vibrations which resonate with Indian emotions.”
Music composer and DJ Stefan Kaye, who came to the capital from England seven years ago, realised that Delhi is the city of opportunities and hence he decided to stay here and experiment in this sector.
Kaye says, ‘Right now I am involved in four different music projects. I handle programming and promotions at Zo and other venues, and I am also a member of psychedelic disco band Emperor Minge. I am also a part of the live band Jass B’stards and founder of the punk band The Ska Vengers. It is good to live here as I get to try out various genres of music and jam with other musicians.”
Olga Andreeva, who performs at the Dirty Martini at Olive at the Qutub on a regular basis, is a hit with guests who swear by her dreamy voice. She says, “I am from Russia and I recently started performing jazz in the capital. I get a good response from the audience here. There are a few songs that I sing every time on popular request, and I feel people listen to me with interest, so as a performer it encourages me.”