DARJEELING, Nov. 13. - When Louis Banks and his band
took the bandstand at the Chowrasta last night, it was the end of
a 30-year-long wait for music lovers of his hometown.
For 90 minutes, the mammoth crowd that
had assembled to hear the musical offerings of the ongoing Darjeeling
Carnival was absolutely enthralled with what Banks had to offer.
The jazz king of the country was raised in Darjeeling until his
first job as a schoolteacher here. He left the town in 1968 to pursue
a career in music, never to return until now. For Banks, it was
time for nostalgia. He began his concert by playing the anthem of
St Joseph's School (North Point), Darjeeling, where he was a student.
Surprised North Pointers, (both past and present pupils) in the
audience got to their feet and cheered lustily, hearts swelling
with pride.Before the performance, little girls went up to Banks
and his wife and welcomed them with khadas (silk scarves) and marigold
flowers. There were loud cheers, as the scene was displayed on large
LCD screens around the venue.`I am happy to be here,` announced
the jazz doyen to the crowd, which seemed a bit of an understatement.
A whole lot of old family friends, teachers and acquaintances had
gathered to hear Banks perform. It also included Mr Austin Plant,
who used to play drums for Banks in his first band in Darjeeling.
A visibly elated Mr Plant, who now works as an architect, has
been busy taking Banks around the town since he arrived here Monday.
Banks was also taken to his old school and college by a friend,
now a teacher at the college, Miss Noreen Dunne. `It was a lovely
experience,` he told the crowd.
Banks and his band, which included his son Gino Banks on the drums
and Sonia Saigal on vocals, played an assortment of jazz, blues,
R&B and other popular numbers. The crowd was particularly mesmerised
by Gino's performance.
A piece composed by Banks described their team's `hair-rising`
journey from Bagdogra to Darjeeling via the Pankhabari route. The
steep and narrow road has been badly damaged by landslides at places.
`I bet if our Nepali drivers were given a Ferrari, they would give
Schumacher a run for his money. They are the best in the world!`
remarked Banks senior.
At the end of the show, Banks Junior promised to return to his
father's hometown.
Courtesy
The Statesman |
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