‘Legends say that Gypsies are born musicians.’ And an electric seaside evening on the 1st of May at Zeebop, Uttorda just proved it right! Playing to highly appreciative and energetic spectators was Harri Stojka and his Gypsy swing ensemble from Austria. While the people poured in to beat the summer heat, the quartet simply left a Gypsy tinge in the warm air.

Harri Stojka simply burnt up the fretboard, offering the spectators a scintillating package of speed, strength and style. With Claudius Jelinek on his guitar, Heimo Wiederhofer coupling the melody with his upswing beats and Karl Sayer on double bass, the Austrian Gypsy ensemble probed the crowd to groove and plunge their feet in the soft sand. The jazz lovers were thrilled by their improvisation as the artists displayed their prowess on their instruments.  

When Harri Stojka was a kid, his dad gave him a plastic guitar he got at the fair. Only six years old, little Harri was visibly fascinated by it. So Harri's father didn't waste any time and bought him a real instrument that was appropriate for his age. From that point on, the classical or Spanish guitar became the focus of all of Harri's attention. From the very beginning, his father told him that he had to practice until his fingers smoked. One day Harri said, "Papa, I practice and practice, but I don't see any smoke!"  Today he takes the same approach to the guitar and last Saturday evening, the atmosphere was surely smoking when Harri struck the guitar strings with a lightening speed and pervaded verve and enthusiasm in the sea breeze.

The guitars filled the evening with that gypsy charm and splendour casting a musical spell on all present. It was undeniably new and a fresh experience for the jazz lovers. Heritage Jazz always has something unique and different to offer its audience and this show was no exception; the free living Gypsy spirit definitely cloaked everyone’s heart.

As the night darkened, the audience was treated to a special surprise performance by Goa’s young talent, Varun Carvalho, who has released a great debut album ‘Gotta go Home’ comprising of honest meaningful lyrics. The crowd was delighted with this wonderful package of surprises and called out for more. The Harri Stojka Quartet ended with some gorgeous gypsy guitar tunes and Heritage Jazz had an exciting auction of their CD which was truly engaging and fun; some enjoyed bidding while others watched on, excitedly.

Through the evening the music maestros played some wonderful jazz melodies which got the spectators, rocking to the beats. Every song was greeted with tumultuous applause and eventually the evening came to a great end. The very next day the Gypsy fever reached the climax at the Gonsalve’s Mansion on the 3rd of May, when young and old musicians of various music schools gathered at the Home of Jazz for an enlightening Music Workshop with the Quartet; yet again, the atmosphere was just eclectic and undoubtedly, educational!!!

For more pictures, visit www.heritagejazz.com