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FREEDOM JAM – Free Music Festival – Original SINg!

On 14th August, Wednesday 6.30pm to 9pm at Bangalore International Centre, Domlur 2nd stage.

FREEDOM JAM – Free Music Festival is a musicians’ movement dedicated to live performances of all genres of music without commercial constraints. Artistes perform without fees and audience enjoys without tickets – ‘Freedom Jam – No Bread!’

It was started in Bengaluru in August 1996 during India’s 50th anniversary celebrations and has continued with 26 annual editions.

Many stalwarts of today’s independent music scene, such as TAAQ, Raghu & Vasu Dixit, Prakash Sontakke, etc. have been part of this movement. Legends like L. Shankar, Lucky Ali have also featured in Freedom Jam.

This edition on 14th August at BIC, is specifically focused on Original SINg! – showcasing songs and compositions by Bengaluru based musicians:

SARJAPUR BLUES BAND
featuring Dr. Shekhar Sheshadri and Vinoo Mathews, renowned for their memorable songs that have been favourites for decades – (“Don’t Drop Your Ego, Bounce It”, “Lady Nicotine”)

THE UNKNOWNS will perform a tribute to departed virtuoso guitarist STEVE playing tunes from his original carnatic fusion album “Welcome To The Journey”. Steve had not only made The Unknowns, the city’s finest classic rock band he also pioneered many innovations to make the electric guitar sound like Veena, Mridangam, Violin. Now the next generation, Steve’s multitalented sons and nephews continue the tradition with Sunil Steven adept at all the fusion techniques.

Steve
unknowns

GIDDY HOO is the hottest new band on the scene. They only play originals and are now immersed in recording their first album. Two brothers from the south and two from the northeast, the band has this ability to sway rock audiences with their energetic performances and catchy arena rock.

GiddyHoo2

Bharat Mata Nach Kud BAJA cannot play a cover to save their lives so they remix standards like Vande Mataram or Surangani in their inimitable style – a blend of desi ‘tapankuthu’ rhythms with rock blues chord patterns. Expect some foot tapping frenzy with compositions like Bom Shankar, Money Runnin Out, Smash Your Colour TV, AlooGobi Rhythm, etc.

poster

ABOUT

“Freedom Jam – Free Music Festival’ is a movement of musicians, for musicians and for those who love music. The festival is run by musicians with a little help from their friends. Artistes perform without fees and listeners enjoy the music without tickets, “Freedom Jam – No Bread!”
All different styles of music are presented and encouraged, from ethnic folk and classical music to experimental work in contemporary genres while the staple remains international pop, rock, rap, metal, jazz, blues, etc.

However often it is indipop, bhindi bop, bolly, kolly, tolly, not to forget good golly miss molly!”
 
 
In Bengaluru. Sunday Jam is held on the first Sunday of every month. The annual Freedom Jam festival, now into its 23rd year, is held in August around Independence Day.
The Pondy Freedom Jam, held in January around Republic Day, happened for the 15th time this year.
It has also been held several times in Goa and Chennai.
Freedom Jam, favours originality and believes in promoting the culture of “own comps”. In fact the movement started two decades ago because there was no space or venue in those days that accepted Indian musicians performing their own material.
  Today, inspite of what the media calls a ‘thriving’ live music scene, promoted and exploited by the food and beverage industry, there is even more a need for an independent support system for the creative musician.
  We in our own way have constantly strived to foster this; as the cliche goes, create a ‘platform’ for indie music – to keep the groovy train running n humming.
  Welcome on board for a magical musical tour, you don’t even need a ‘ticket’ to ride – Chief Coolie
Email:  freedomjamindia@gmail.com
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The 24th edition:
  This year during Independence weekend, the 24th edition kicked off with four different segments of the festival being held in different parts of the city. On the 15th & 17th at 6000 Miles To Isle Of Man on Kasturba Road, on the 15th at Byg Brewski in Hennur and on the 18th at Army Welfare Housing Organisation, Sandeep Vihar in Whitefield. 
  In all featuring 25 bands and acts comprising almost a hundred musicians, including Alchemy, Blues Syndicate, Little Wing, Presentense, Crown Tree, Otic Measure, Soundchilde, Alan Rego, Flute Freedom, Fungii, Inquilab, Noel d’Gama, Thanthi Tharangi, Amnesia, Danny & Friends with Austin Nail’d, Goatsmoke, Steamroller, Winterchild, Chronic Blues Band, Cross Atlantic and a few more. 
  
  The grand finale is being held at 6.30pm on Sunday, 1st of September at the Bangalore International Centre, in their spanky new hi-tech auditorium in Domlur.
 
  The highlight of this year’s festival is the performance on 1st September by living music legend, internationally reknowned singer and double violinist L. SHANKAR. He will be presenting “EDM Rock Music Extravaganza” for the very first time in Bengaluru backed by banks of keyboards & synthesisers played by DoK- Dileep Palakkad and live drums by Manjunath NS.
  Shankar, a world music icon and founder of the seminal fusion band Shakti, will not only delight aficionados with his phenomenal virtuosity on the custom made double violin, LSD – L. Shankar’s Double, he will also treat us to his Billboard topping contemporary catchy hit songs. 
 
 
  The programme will start with Dr. PRAKASH SONTAKKE, Grammy award album composer and multi-instrumentalist known for creating an unique blend of all world music styles with indian classical. An artiste on the respected influential ECM record label, his work in the progressive jazz fusion genre has won him critical acclaim and prestigious awards in Europe & USA. He will be presenting a Hindustani classical based recital on slide guitar accompanied by Sri Karthik Bhatt on the tabla.