The candles spread across the venue cast a warm, flickering glow over the room, making the entire setup look almost surreal. Sitting there with live jazz filling the space, it was hard to believe that outside was the familiar Delhi chaos – and, somewhere beyond the doors, an hour-long traffic queue waiting to take everyone home.
The response to the jazz experience in Delhi has also surprised the organisers. “The response has, in fact, been largely phenomenal. Jazz can be a niche genre, particularly when compared with more familiar music formats.
It surprised us as well,” said Pranjal, spokesperson for Candlelight, adding that several more dates are expected to be added later this year. But that is also part of the idea, according to the spokesperson. “The idea is to kind of create a market, and that’s why we are kind of… helping the market grow,” he told hindustantimes.com.
At the heart of the initiative is an attempt to make different forms of music more accessible.
“The larger goal of both the Jazz Room and Candlelight is to democratise access to music of all forms – Western classical, Indian classical and now, of course, 1920s New Orleans jazz,” the spokesperson said.
The evening also put local musicians in the spotlight, something the initiative considers an important part of its work.
“Democratising access is not just about audiences, but also about bringing in local artists,” the spokesperson said, adding that the team often works with musicians over a longer term and gives them multiple opportunities to perform.
