Finding the Groove: Pioneers of Jazz in India — Rudy Cotton
A series of exhibitions of early jazz musicians in India.
American Institute of Indian Studies
The exhibitions are based on archival materials collected by Naresh Fernandes at the Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology, AIIS
Rudy Cotton
Born Cawasji Khatau on 4 November 1918, the saxophonist Rudy Cotton belonged to a Parsi family with a long history of running theatre companies. He became fascinated with jazz when the first African-American bands came to Mumbai in the mid-1930s.
Rudy Cotton Band Playing at the SavoyOriginal Source: Vinsy and Jehangir Khatau
Early years
Rudy Cotton started playing the saxophone at the age of 15. His big break came when he was hired by Tony Nunes, the pianist. He performed in various bands as a sideman.
Rudy Cotton with his band matesOriginal Source: Vinsy and Jehangir Khatau
Rudy Cotton with Chic Chocolate, Frank Fernand and others
Rudy Cotton also recorded with Teddy Weatherford, the African American jazz pioneer who lived in India.
He is heard on this track with many other musicians.
The Rudy Cotton BandOriginal Source: \Vinsy and Jahangir Khatau
The Rudy Cotton Band
Rudy Cotton formed his own band in 1939.
Frank Fernand, Rudy Cotton, Chic Chocolate in RangoonOriginal Source: Larissa and Max Fernand
Rudy Cotton and His Swing BandOriginal Source: Vinsy and Jehangir Khatau
The tenor-saxophonist
Rudy Cotton was noted for his “cool" tone, playing in a mellow style that was also being developed by the American reed player Lester Young.
Cotton spent his later years in Delhi, enlivening the capital’s music scene as he performed at a variety of hotels. He was a founder member of the Jazz India Delhi chapter.
Rudy Cotton at the Jazz Yatra '78Original Source: Ratan Batliboi/Niranjan Jhaveri Jazz Collection
Jazz Yatra 1978
Rudy Cotton was invited as a special guest to the first-ever Jazz Yatra in 1978, at Rang Bhavan, Bombay. Rudy composed this special piece entitled Rag Sohni to play at the inauguration.
"Rudy’s performance left me in no doubt that was the greatest living Indian tenor saxophonist.”
— Jazz aficionado Soli Sorabjee
Rudy Cotton's ObituaryOriginal Source: Soli Sorabjee
Rudy Cotton died on 15 January, 1985. His admirer Soli Sorabjee and friends published a tribute in memoriam fifteen years later!
Curation and content: Naresh Fernandes
Content editors - Ayesha Sheth, Ronit Ghosh, Ishita Mehta
Project Director: Shubha Chaudhuri
Credits for images and materials: Vinsy and Jehangir Khatau, Niranjan Jhaveri, Max and Larissa Fernand.
Recordings:
1978 Jazz Yatra, Niranjan Jhaveri Jazz Collection.
Jazz and Hot Dance
Based on the Taj Mahal Foxtrot and materials from the Naresh Fernandes Collection at the Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology, American Institute of Indian Studies
