Finding the Groove: Pioneers of Jazz in India — Frank Fernand
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
Early years
In 1936, aged sixteen, Frank decided to make jazz his life. He left his native Goa and headed to Bombay, hoping to find work in one of the city's famous dance bands.
Frank Fernand made his debut in the jazz scene of Bombay around 1937 in a band led by Joe Theodore.
Crickett Smith's India bandOriginal Source: Christine Correa and the Correa Family
Frank, Micky Correa and Crickett Smith
In 1940, Frank Fernand was invited to join the Symphonians, a band established by Crickett Smith. To him, it was acknowledgement that he too could feel the music, that he could play like an African-American.
For some time in the 1940s, Frank Fernand played with Rudy Cotton and his band in Mussoorie.
Rudy Cotton in New DelhiOriginal Source: Vinsy and Jehangir Khatau
The Rudy Cotton Band in Delhi
In 1946, Frank Fernand moved back to Bombay where he played with Mickey Correa’s band.
Frank Fernand with the Micky Correa Band
In 1948, the Bombay Swing Club of which Frank Fernand was a member along with Hal and Henry Green, made its debut concert. The club continued to perform for many years.
Henry Green, Frank Fernand and Hal Green at the Bombay Swing Club debut concertOriginal Source: Jehangir Dalal
Frank Fernand and The Bombay Swing Club
Programme of the inaugural concert of the Bombay Swing Club.
Giving jazz an Indian voice
A chance encounter with Gandhi in 1946, made Frank determined to give jazz an Indian voice.
He began to study Hindustani classical music and, two years later, performed his first piece of jazz in an Indian idiom at a concert in Mumbai. It was titled “Prabhat” or dawn.
Mike Machado, Frank Fernand, Joe Gomes, Johnny GomesOriginal Source: Larissa and Max Fernand
Jazz in the Hindi film studio
Frank Fernand was among the first jazz musicians to work in the Hindi film studios, helping film composers harmonise their compositions. Here he can be seen with Mike Machado, Joe Gomes, Johnny Gomes, and Francis Vaz. All of them were involved in making music for films.
Frank Fernand at a recordingOriginal Source: Larissa and Max Fernand
Frank Fernand in a recording studio
Frank Fernand with music director AnandjiOriginal Source: Larissa and Max Fernand
Frank Fernand with Anandji
Frank Fernand went on to write scores for the lush, big orchestras that recorded the compositions of Laxmikant and Pyarelal in the 1970s and ’80s in Bollywood.
Record Cover of Amchem Noxib and NirmonOriginal Source: Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology
Amche Noxib / Nirmon
Inspired by Goa's liberation in 1961, and due to his association with the Hindi film world, Frank Fernand produced two very famous Konkani films — Amchem Noxib (Our Luck) in 1963 and Nirmon (Destiny) in 1966 — composing the scores himself. Melding Goan folk themes with swing and other styles, the songs from the films have remained as iconic hits. Frank Fernand won two National Awards for Nirmon.
Frank Fernand with Indira GandhiOriginal Source: Larissa and Max Fernand
Frank receiving the national award from Indira Gandhi
The award was for his film Nirmon, released in 1966
Curation and content: Naresh Fernandes
Content editors - Ishita Mehta, Shubha Chaudhuri
Naresh Fernandes Collection at the Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology
Project Director: Shubha Chaudhuri
Acknowledgements: Family of Frank Fernand and Micky Correa
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