By Niranjan Jhaveri

For any art form to evolve, there must be some new outside influences. The old Egyptian art remained static for 500 or more years, you cannot tell if two pieces of art were created in the same decade or 500 years apart. Egypt remained insulated, isolated for centuries. On the other hand, experts can date ancient Greek/Roman art almost to the decade since they were great explorers and travelers so their art constantly evolved.

Jazz was not born in Africa nor in Europe but in a place where these two met and interacted. Since then outside influences have traditionally caused jazz to evolve. The tradition of jazz is not to have any tradition but to constantly change, explore, assimilate and grow. Modern means of communication has brought influences from other cultures swiftly into jazz; physical exchange of population is no longer needed.

Jazz artists are the most adventurous explorers on earth, they have checked out the music of almost all cultures, assimilated the apt and desirable elements into the so-called mainstream of jazz.

The most glaring deficiency and problem with jazz is that vocal jazz remains highly underdeveloped when compared with instrumental jazz. This has - made the music lopsided, unbalanced. It is the only music where such disparity exists.

Although they are not easy, technically very challenging, Indian vocal techniques, developed over centuries are ready-made for jazz to explore, adept and lift jazz to new heights, both aesthetically and in its popularity. India has a systematic method of training the voice to do incredible, beautiful things, using the "natural" voice (not operatic) as yet unknown to jazz or any other forms of occidental music.

Till jazz takes the necessary steps, it will remain relatively static as the great jazz explorers have already tapped almost everything else under the sun. No other direction is so obvious for jazz to take, another revolution spearheaded by the "new' vocalists of tomorrow awaits jazz, one that will be enthusiastically embraced by the instrumentalists. Vocalists will once again be equal partners.

The best is still to come !

Here are messages received from the Jazz-India Vocal Institute "graduates" who were selected and invited by Jhaveri to Bombay for an intensive course.

ANN DYER (San Francisco, USA)

My studies of Hindustani vocalizations have made a profound impact on both the craft and art of my music. There is no more sophisticated technical training for the voice and ear than the Hindustani musical tradition. Moreover, the spiritual depth for which Indian music is renowned is a never-ending source of inspiration.

LISA YOUNG (Melbourne, Australia)

As a singer of jazz/improvised music in Melbourne Australia, I began studying South Indian (Carnatic) singing in 1993 and then also Konnakol (vocal percussion). From these beginnings the opportunity came in 1997 via JIVI to study Hindustani music intensely in Bombay. It was two of the most extraordinary months of my life. The lessons were truly inspirational as was the place, the culture, the people and the many beautiful concerts I saw. This intensive study time in Bombay has helped further my passion for this music and also my understanding of the amazing culture in which it has developed.

SUZANNE ABBUEHL (Bern, Switzerland and Den Haag, Holland)

The two months in Bombay were the best of my life and I can't wait to come back to India for more. Before going to Bombay, I had already started studying North Indian Classical Vocal and had started to realize how much this could add to my musical spectrum as a jazz singer. It has been so interesting to learn about structure and development of that music as a great inspiration for my own compositions. The feature of improvisation being very prominent in both jazz and Indian Classical, the latter has much to offer when it comes to treatment of tone, depth of sound, development (almost science) of melody, rhythmical ideas and richness of ornamentations. I'm thrilled about the discoveries I made every day during the lessons in how many ways can you approach a note, hold it, circle it, leave it, pass it ... what first sounds as 'all the same' reveal itself in an unbelievable variety once the ear learns to listen and differ.

I was impressed with the genuine devotion to music of my teachers and am very grateful they dedicated their time and energy to pass on their knowledge.

This probably sounds quite unbelievable, but I still think of these months every day, as the learning experience has left me with so much inspiration and love for music. It has started to influence the way I sing jazz, in a subtle way may be, but definitely audible for listeners. I'm not trying to force what I've leaent into my repertoire, but naturally, it has left traces (which I'm very happy with). So far ...till the next two months!

AMY DENIO (Seattle, USA)

I am a composer interested in exploring "soul music" from cultures around the world, as well as an improviser. Invitation from the Jazz-India Vocal Institute was one of the greatest and most challenging experiences of my life. This submersion into the Hindustani tradition was a new leaf for me. My studies with the wonderful vocalist Dhanashree Pandit-Rai were intense, slowly this tradition is taking shape in my vocalizations and is subtly affecting my compositions as well. I love to explore and expand my vocal vocabulary and I can see that this is a life-long pursuit. But the intense nature of this residency will resonate with me for the rest of my life.

ROSEANNA VITRO (New York)

I consider myself a life long student, teacher and lover of the magical world of creative, heartfelt music. Although I have several recordings and have been singing jazz with the some of the best musicians on the planet for the past 15 years, my experience in Niranjan Jhaveri's JIVI in Bombay, India was one of the most fascinating, ear and mind opening adventures of my life. The spirituality, discipline and dedication involved in the Indian tradition of creative vocalese will benefit and inspire anyone that decides to take a closer look. I love the Indian people and their music and hope to go back again and again.

Next to arrive are Luisa Cottifogli from Imola (BO), Italy and then Katchie Cartwright from New York.