Mumbai Jazz Festival Returns This Weekend at Phoenix Palladium

In the early 20th century, jazz first found its way to Bombay, carrying on the waves of Western influences that mingled with the city’s cosmopolitan charm. The 1930s saw jazz take root in Mumbai’s iconic nightclubs. The city became a jazz hotspot in Asia, hosting legends like Dave Brubeck.

But jazz in Mumbai wasn’t just an import—it found Indian heroes who gave it a distinct voice. Pioneers like Louis Banks, Braz Gonsalves, Carlton Kitto, Joe Pereira, among many others, blended Indian rhythms and traditions into jazz’s improvisational essence.

As the years rolled on, jazz in India flourished beyond the confines of nightclubs. It took to larger stages, finding a dedicated audience through iconic festivals that introduced Indians to the global jazz scene.

In 1978, the Jazz Yatra cemented India’s place on the world jazz map. Organized by the Jazz India Forum, this festival brought together legendary performers like Sonny Rollins and Stan Getz alongside Indian maestros like Louis Banks.

Over the years, Jazz Yatra expanded India’s understanding of jazz as an art form, inspiring new audiences and igniting a passion for the genre. It set the stage for what festivals could achieve: uniting people through music while paying homage to its roots.

Building on this rich history, the Mumbai Jazz Festival 2024, happening at Phoenix Palladium in Lower Parel is poised to become the next milestone in India’s jazz journey. Hosted by the INT Aditya Birla Centre for Performing Arts on December 7, 2024, this festival promises to rekindle Mumbai’s enduring relationship with jazz while introducing audiences to its contemporary expressions from around the world.

This year’s lineup features a stunning array of talent from around the world. Lonitseera from Estonia, Silvan Joray Trio featuring Hillai Govreen from Switzerland and the USA, Milli Janatková from the Czech Republic, and Solah from Réunion Island will bring their unique styles to the stage.

Date: 7th December 2024

Gates open at 5 PM

Venue: Phoenix Palladium, Lower Parel

Tickets: ₹799

Click here to buy tickets to Mumbai Jazz Festival