For The Love Of Bass: Sheldon D'Silva | Artist Shoutout

On International Jazz Day, who better to feature than bassist Sheldon D’Silva who has played at multiple seasons of International Jazz Day in Mumbai.

Music was D’Silva’s greatest inspiration. He never dreamt it would one day be a career, as he always thought he would be a pilot or something. Throughout his academics, music was always his only constant, his liberation from the world. D’Silva pursued Science and later graphic design, but when he got to know that it was possible to make a living with music, he surrendered to its force, leaving his life in the hands of an Almighty decision.

D’Silva credits his parents Rekha and the late Trevor, who were his greatest source of inspiration and encouragement to follow his dreams. He learned the guitar when he was 12 years old from his father who supported him constantly with pride, teaching him all the fundamentals, one being of how to ‘rock out’ without any fear.

D’Silva, on his six-stringed electric bass, has played with the who’s who of the Indian and international music scene, from legends like guitarist John McLaughlin, Louiz Banks, Zakir Hussain, Al Jarreau, Trilok Gurtu and many more. He was also one of the first Indians to play in Pakistan Coke Studio with the Mekaal Hasan Band. He has recorded on innumerable Bollywood movie soundtracks, background scores, private and International albums and ad jingles. He is also part of the Faculty at the NMIMS School of Performing Arts.

D’Silva finds it difficult to enjoy music without bass, for he believes that the Bass is like cement between the bricks, you don’t see it but without it, a building will not stand. Musically, it’s a bridge between rhythm and melody and hence it is an integral part of any band regardless of the genre for bass guitarists add a certain groove, swing, tone and texture that cannot be substituted by keyboard programming.

D’Silva, has explored every genre of music from pop and rock to jazz, funk and fusion, now along with Taal Inc & Friends, releases the Kassa on 1st May

⬇ Sheldon D'Silva - Lockdown:

⬇ Sheldon D'Silva at NH7 Weekender:

⬇ Sheldon D'Silva & Gino Banks - When Times Change:

Read more: All That Jazz: Adrian D'souza