New Delhi, Nov. 6 -- The 8th NCPA International Jazz Festival is being held in Mumbai this year from November 20 to November 22 at the Jamshed Bhabha Auditorium. This year features Nicole Zuartis, the two-time New York-based Grammy winner and six-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, as well as Thana Alexa, a jazz singer who has also been twice nominated for a Grammy. The third band is a trio led by Francesca Tandoi, who is a celebrated pianist, singer, composer and band leader from Italy and will be featured on the first day of the festival.
Over the years, Francesca has led her ensembles on some of the most prestigious stages worldwide, including Dizzy's Jazz Club at Lincoln Centre. She has graced the line-ups of numerous major jazz festivals across the world. She has collaborated with legendary international artists, including Snarky Puppy and has recorded and performed with celebrated jazz figures such as Scott Hamilton, Lewis Nash, Lee Pearson and many others.
Nicole Zuartis, who will perform on the second day, is a trailblazing artist who is redefining vocal jazz and jazz songwriting and has released seven albums as leader. Her sixth album, 'How Love Begins', co-produced with eight-time Grammy winner Christian McBride, won 'Best Jazz Vocal Album' at the 2024 Grammy Awards and features all original music. She is the only person ever to have won this award who wrote and arranged the entire album herself. Joining her is her husband Dan Pugach, a composer, drummer, arranger and bandleader. He won a Grammy Award in 2025 for 'Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album' for 'Bianca Reimagined: Music' for 'Paws' and 'Persistence'.
The final day features Thana Alexa, a jazz vocalist, composer, arranger and producer. A very talented creative force, her twice Grammy-nominated album ONA was inspired by the cross-generational and cross-cultural stories of the immigrant women in her family. She will be accompanied by Antonio Sanchez, a four-time Grammy winner who is one of the most revered drummers, composers and bandleaders of his generation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.