Finding the Groove: Pioneers of Jazz in India — Chic Chocolate
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
No one is quite sure how Chic Chocolate came to get his stage name. He was born Antonio Xavier Vaz in Aldona, Goa in 1916. Like all his Goan contemporaries, Chic learnt music in his local parish school, and first earned acclaim as a child singing at khels, street-side musical plays that are often mounted around Christmas. But after his father died, the family moved to Bombay.
Chic Chocolate’s first big break was as the lead trumpet player in the Spotlight’s Band. Chic formed a friendship with Rudy Cotton while they were performing in Rangoon in 1938-'39.
Chic Chocolate, Rudy Cotton and othersOriginal Source: Vinsy and Jehangir Khatau
Chic soon became part of the Rudy Cotton and, playing his horn at Bombay’s leading hotels.
Chic Chocolate and Chris Perry at the Taj Mahal Hotel, BombayOriginal Source: Ursula Vaz, Johnny Fernandes and other members of the Chic Chocolate Family
Chic Chocolate performed regularly at The Apollo Room in the Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay...
Chic Chocolate at the Taj Mahal Hotel, BombayOriginal Source: Ursula Vaz, Johnny Fernandes and other members of the Chic Chocolate Family
...often sharing stage space with Chris Perry and his band.
Chic and His Music MakersOriginal Source: Ursula Vaz, Johnny Fernandes and other members of the Chic Chocolate Family
By 1945, Chic was heading his own swing band, Chic and his Music Makers.
Hear Chic and his Music Makers perform "She's a Bombshell from Brooklyn".
Chic Chocolate soloingOriginal Source: Ursula Vaz, Johnny Fernandes and other members of the Chic Chocolate Family
Chic, the Louis Armstrong of India
Chic Chocolate had a powerful attack and came to be known as the Louis Armstrong of India, after the musician from New Orleans on whom he modelled himself. He even sang in a gravelly voice, just like Armstrong.
During World War II, Chic Chocolate cut a dozen tunes, among the few Indian swing musicians who actually made any records. Unfortunately, they were mostly covers of American popular tunes - though Chic was a prolific composer, and went on to write tunes with names like Juhu Jive and Indira.
“Chic Chocolate is a rare instance of a leader who values the exigencies of a phrase in terms of collective artistry… Chic’s ‘sax’ section gives the solo strand that fascinating textural accompaniment which makes dance music worth listening to".
—The Evening News of India
In the 1950s, Chic began to work in the Hindi film studios more intensely, assisting composers C. Ramchandra and Madan Mohan, among others.
Chic Chocolate and Bombay Swing ClubOriginal Source: Ursula Vaz, Johnny Fernandes and other members of the Chic Chocolate Family
"Take it from there"
He can be briefly glimpsed in the background of song sequences in films such as Albela and Aakhri Khat.
He can be briefly glimpsed in the background of song sequences in such films as Albela and Aakhri Khat.
Chic and others on the set of AlbelaOriginal Source: Ursula Vaz, Johnny Fernandes and other members of the Chic Chocolate Family
Seen here is Chic Chocolate and his band in costume from the movie Albela.
Chic Chocolate, seen performing in the background of the song 'Deewana Parwana' from the movie Albela.
In June 1956, the Bombay premiere of The Benny Goodman Story at the Excelsior Theatre was preceded by musical performances by some of the city's best-loved bands including Chic Chocolate's outfit.
Chic Chocolate at the Benny Goodman Show
At Chic's funeral procession (1967-05)Original Source: Ursula Vaz, Johnny Fernandes and other members of the Chic Chocolate Family
Chic Chocolate died in May 1967, aged 51. His casket was borne to the grave by Bombay's foremost musicians, including the accordion player Goody Seervai and the drummer Francis Vaz.
Chic Chocolate's funeral (1967-05)Original Source: Ursula Vaz, Johnny Fernandes and other members of the Chic Chocolate Family
He was laid to rest with his Selmer trumpet.
Curation and content: Naresh Fernandes
Content editors - Ayesha Sheth, Ronit Ghosh, Ishita Mehta
Project Director: Shubha Chaudhuri
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
Acknowledgments: Ursula Vaz and the family of Chic Chocolate; Marco Pacci
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