Konkani was unquestionably in the forefront at the supernova event “Konkani Rocks!” organized by Heritage Jazz that was held on the 3rd of December 2009. Creating history was Dutch music maestro Saskia Laroo and her quartet who were the first foreign musicians to play Konkani music and captivated the audience by playing crowd favourites on traditional Goan soil. The concert went beyond music and entertainment and touched the hearts of masses. An international star rocking to their own local language created a sense of pride in the hearts of the Goans. The event certainly set the benchmark in Konkani entertainment. People were euphoric and responded energetically when Saskia walked into them with a cordless pick up for her trumpet weaving her magic and astounding the crowd with her nimbleness. She handled the Konkani beat which is very different to her own usual sound with effortlessness, and her collaborations with the Goan singers sent the audience soaring with the elevated level of music. The crowd lapped up the musical treats handed out by the brilliant Goan fadista Sonia Shirsat, songsters Marushka Rebello and the Sigmund de Souza Group who played all time favourites of various Konkani musicians and some of their own compositions as well.
The first ‘’World Goa Day’’ celebrations, was held at the Heritage Jazz Street, Campal and it featured the best of Konkani artists from Goa. Lorna Cordeiro, also known as Goa’s Nightingale, a popular Konkani singer and several other forgotten Goan musicians were roped in to perform at this gala event. Lorna rendered her evergreen songs and proved to the audience that age had not dimmed her skills but rather, matured them to a new, higher level. Such was the energy of Lorna’s performance that Remo Fernandes, the renowned Goan star singer joined her as a surprise for the famous track ‘Bebdo’, thrilling the 1000 plus audience. Co-incidentally this was the first time in history that Remo and Lorna shared the stage together. Audiences braved in the heavy rains typical of Goa in August, to attend the show.
Soon after the 2010 show at Campal was a huge success, we organised another show with Lorna in Margao at the Ravindra Bhavan Stadium. Tough it being a weekday, Wednesday, the hall was packed and the show was again a huge success. People still remember this show as one of the most iconic shows held in Goa. It was also the first time when Lorna played live with the Monsorate Brothers.
The Amersfoort Jazz Festival was held from 13th – 15th of May, 2011, at Amersfoort in the Netherlands. Heritage Jazz was a partner at this International Jazz Festival. The C.E.O. Armando Gonsalves, along with his immediate team attended this event. The dream of Konkani rocks dates back to December, when a dutch group of musicians were invited to Goa by Armando Gonsalves, the CEO of Heritage Jazz to perform Konkani numbers amongst Goans. That was when an idea sparked his mind to take Konkani to the world. The Rabobank Amersfoort International Jazz Festival created performance spots for international artists including our very own Goan artists led by the Monsorate Brothers along with Olavo Rodriguez, Sidhanath Buyao, Yatin Talaulikar and Veeam Braganza comprised of the team who set the mood on. The other performers included saxophonists Alexander Beets, Sigrun Jording Koh Saxman, and DJ Nakadia. From foreigners to our own goans groved to the beats of Konkani music.
After the overwhelming success of Konkani Rocks, Europe! Goa ForGiving took centre stage, presenting to you The Konkani Rocks Revolution on 18th June 2011. The Konkani Rocks Revolution was only the beginning of an entertaining chain of events to follow at Heritage Jazz. The Konkani Rocks Revolution was not only a start to our upcoming events, but also a celebration of our triumphant success at the Amersfoort Jazz Festival held in May 2011. Talented Goan singers and musicians such as Anthony Gonsalves, George Fernandes, Sonia Sirsat, Olavo Rodrigues, Sidhanath Buyao, Varun Carvalho, Carlos Gonsalves and the Monsorate Brothers were a part of the event.
Goa's Biggest Rain Extravaganza for the year 2012 featured the best of Konkani music from Goa and Mangalore. It brought the ultimate clash of two delightfully different musical styles that opened the doors to take Konkani music to the skies. Showcasing this was the very famous ‘The Mandd Sobhan’ 10 member Troupe of Guinness World Record Fame led by Eric Ozario (Vishw Konkani Kala Ratn) and from Goa were very own Konkani Pop star O’Luv Rodrigues along with Goa Fado Queen Sonia Shirsat who dished out stunning Konkani numbers. Also accompanying them were ace saxophonist and trumpeter, Joaquim D’Souza who lead his 5 member ensemble into the night. Besides, the now famous tiatr personality Dy S P Sammy Tavares was also present and Aniseto Lourenco also sang along Sonia Shirsat an original song from the Tiatr that was running full house across Goa.