Harmonica Magic

Sulaiman Jamal, a man of diverse passions and origins, hails from Coimbatore, his journey marked by serendipitous encounters and enduring pursuits. His academic roots trace back to Stanes High School, culminating in graduation from PSG College of Engineering. In his college days, Sulaiman’s harmonica echoed through the corridors, marking his first musical sojourn. Yet, this melody momentarily faded, until destiny intervened at a gear convention in Detroit. Here, an accidental rendezvous with Jerry Murad of the Harmonicats, during a world harmonica festival, reignited his musical fire. Fate had no Indian delegates present, prompting Jerry to invite Sulaiman to join two fellow musicians in an impromptu performance. This experience expanded the horizons of the harmonica, rekindling Sulaiman’s devotion to the instrument. In gratitude, Jerry gifted him a set of Hohner instruments, conditioning him to reignite the harmonica’s soul.

Today, Sulaiman resides in Bangalore as the Chairman of Bevel Gears India P Ltd, crafting high-end bevel gears for aerospace and defense. His work transcends the mundane; it’s a hobby interwoven with his ardor for music and classic cars. Sulaiman’s harmonica repertoire spans the spectrum, from Jazz and big band to blues and folk. For him, music is the elixir of life, an unceasing symphony that accompanies him wherever his path unfolds.

Self-taught guitar player, composer and along with his musician wife Madhuri Jagadeesh, founded MoonArra in 2006, a world fusion ensemble based in Bengaluru, India, and performed globally at jazz and world music festivals and concerts in Asia, Africa and Europe.

Jagadeesh is the Director of the Bangalore School of Music, heading the Jazz & Contemporary music Dept., Music Relations, concerts, events, programming, etc.

Jagadeesh has collaborated with musicians both locally and internationally such as Dr. Prakash Sontakke & Karthik Mani, Pianist Norbert Kael, drummer Andras  and bassist Hoppal Mihaly from Hungary, Aion Quartet Switzerland,  Saxophone players Peter Natterer from Austria, Phil Scarff USA and and Biggi Vinkeloe Sweden, Flautist Leszek Wisniowski from Poland, Moroccan artist Gnawa Mal-em-Abdellah, Israeli Jazz Band Katamon Cherry, Malaysia based drummer Lewis Pragasam and Asiabeat, Indonesian drummer Gilang Ramadhan, santoor maestro Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya and his ensemble, ghatam vidwan virtuoso Smt. Sukanya Ramagopal, Australia based guitarist Tommy Smith, flautists Pt. Milind Date and Vidwan Ravichandra Kollur, jazz guitarist Gerard Machado, Carlos Gonsalves amongst others.

Vocalist, Songwriter, Composer and co-founder MoonArra World Fusion Ensemble Madhuri Jagadeesh has a Masters in World Literature.  Madhuri’s vocals have influences from all over the world but rooted in India. She has an understanding of Indian Classical and Western Classical Music and uses both in her exploration of jazz and world music.  A vocalist and songwriter, composer and pioneer of the Indian Opera, Madhuri has conceived and created significant concert productions for MoonArra such as Operaaga, Raagas Round Midnight, Women Aah Men, The Cosmic Tree.  The second edition of Operaaga was also successfully produced in Italy (Milan and Bologna June 2023) in collaboration with Italian musician Nicola Baroni and his ensemble.

Madhuri was also recently featured in an interview with Swedish based musician Biggi Vinkeloe in the first edition of Turnaround Magazine, run by Washington based jazz musician Amy Bormet and her foundation Washington Women in Jazz.  The edition also featured an interview with jazz icon Dee Dee Bridgewater.  Madhuri was also featured on Joan Cartwright’s Women in Jazz Global radio podcast for women who perform and compose their own music and presented two of her compositions. Two productions conceptualized, arranged and directed by her and some original compositions were featured for listening in the Turnaround magazine. (Washington Women in Jazz)

Orlando DeNorohna is a renowned mandolin and violin player from Goa, celebrated for his diverse musical influences spanning Gypsy Jazz, Swing, Latin, Fado, and World Music. Proficient in multiple instruments, including guitar, Portuguese guitar, and harmonica, Orlando performs regularly with ensembles like Trio Orlando, The Goan Globetrotters, and Ekchar. His global performances include notable events in Portugal, Spain, Singapore, England, Macau, Cabo Verde, Zambia, South Africa, Zanzibar, and Jerusalem, showcasing his talent and representing Goa’s rich musical heritage worldwide.

M.B. Prakash is a self-taught accordionist with a passion for the instrument that knows no bounds. He has mastered the piano accordion and understands its intricacies, enabling him to maintain and tune instruments. Prakash is a teacher, performer, and arranger who has co-founded the accordion trio “The Tremolos.” He has gained international recognition, including being the first Indian accordionist to participate as a jury member in the Trophee Mondial de L’Accordeon and leading the jury at the Premio Internazionale in Italy. Prakash’s versatility allows him to play various styles, from European to Chinese, making him a beloved performer worldwide.

Rohit P S is one of the best jazz drummers in Bangalore and has performed with Aman Mahajan, MoonArra, Radha Thomas and many other musicians.

Joshua Lance is a prolific bassist, educator and performer and has performed with MoonArra in various trios and ensembles.

Imraan Jamal is versatile drummer and percussionist. He has performed with all leading bands in Bangalore.

Diptangshu is a pianist, singer-songwriter & educator from Calcutta. With his roots in jazz, he has worked & collaborated with esteemed artists across genres both in the studio & on stage.

Priya Mendens is a vocalist in the Bangalore music scene for more than three decades.

Indira Srinivasan is a vocalist of the Sami Sisters.