Sunday, the 3rd of January 2010, the courtyard at the home of jazz was sparking with enthusiasm, excitement and the hope that every New Year brings with it. After offering Goa a great musical buffet in 2009, Heritage Jazz was set to begin with a bang, and a bang it surely was! Each musician of this five member ensemble displayed talent, vibrancy and an electric charge. Jagdeesh M.R. led the band on the lead guitar, supported well by Prakash Sontakke on the Indian slide guitar with rich Indian classical sounds and a voice to match. While Madhuri tantalized with her deep, husky vocals, Kenneth Wilson entertained on bass guitar while Karthik Mani kept rhythm on the drums. MoonArra were joined by quirky jazz trumpeting whiz Matthias Shriefl from Germany who floored the audience with his impromptu performance. While Prakash was a strumming sensation on the slide guitar, Jagdeesh synchronized beautifully with him on the lead, producing amazing guitar magic that had the audience at the edge of their seats. Shriefl sizzled on his trumpet, picking up on the guitar fusion and translating it into some terrific trumpeting.
The band was highly expressive and interactive with their audience, communicating frequently as they introduced their songs and fellow members, sprouting grand applause from the delighted listeners. Each of these musicians mixed about, enjoying friendly conversation and a few laughs with the people, during the breaks; it seemed like a get together of a bunch of friends.