Sanjay Divecha brings snatches of solo album Leela to Bengaluru

In a career spanning 35 years, seasoned guitarist-composer Sanjay Divecha has been a part of many bands, including notable ones such as Cross Currents with Zakir Hussain.

In the past, he has played for and performed with the likes of Dave Holland, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chris Potter, Eddie Daniels, Shankar Mahadevan and Louiz Banks, Angelique Kidjo, Carlos Santana, Michael McDonald, Fred Raulston, Dave Weckl and more.

Sanjay, who has just released his new solo album Leela, went to music school but says his learning also came from being in the room with different musicians. He says, “Luckily for me, in so many bands I was always the weakest link and that is such a great place to be, you know?”

Bengaluru specials

Arguably, that warmth and humility is what goes a long way in music. While he is often surrounded by fellow instrumentalists and vocalists on stage, Sanjay’s run of upcoming shows in Bengaluru will be a wholly solo undertaking. Three intimate performances, two masterclasses and one listening session is part of his itinerary here.

There will be a composition and improvisation masterclass on July 6 at the Indian Music Experience, followed by a solo acoustic performance in the evening. On July 7, Divecha will conduct another masterclass at Bangalore International Centre in Domlur and perform at the same venue on July 8.

On July 10, there will be a listening session for Leela at Ram’s Musique on MG Road, and a final solo acoustic performance at the Sabha on Kamraj Road on July 11.

Mumbai-based Sanjay says he is happy to return to the city where he spent a few years and occasionally visits. He says, “Opportunities to play solo guitar concerts are events I’ve been preparing for, for many years, and getting a chance to do that in Bengaluru is something I am quite happy about.”

While he will be performing from Leela, Sanjay says he intends to combine it with music from his previous albums, all the while leaving room for improvisation. He says, “A lot of this will be spontaneous; I’ll read the room and design a set. With time, I’ve become a bit more comfortable in changing things around in the moment.”

During the masterclasses, there will be some playing as well as a discussion on the importance of a good foundation. Providing “technical information” is one thing, but so is having a mentor or guide, says Sanjay. “I went to a music school, but I believe all the important lessons I learnt were from other musicians who guided me.”

Sanjay Divecha
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Special Arrangement

Here and now

After spending much of his life in the United States following his graduation from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles in 1989, Sanjay returned to India in 2003, becoming a fixture in the country’s jazz circuit. In addition to being part of bands such as Merkaba, his own trio, and the act known as Sanjay Divecha & Secret, he has been working with rising artistes such as Ananya Sharma, who he says helped him co-produce Leela.

“She had the responsibility of ensuring this project panned out,” he says, adding how important it is to have another musician’s ears and production skills while cutting an album. Leela, which released in June, is a solo guitar-led journey which pays tribute to the likes of jazz-fusion legend John McLaughlin and Bossa Nova pioneer Antonio Carlos Jobim aka Tom as well as pianist Karan Joseph.

Leela comprises tracks with collaborators such as vocalist Vasundhara Vee, percussionist Anand Bhagat, pianist-composer Harmeet Manseta, vocalist-harmonium player Apoorv Petkar and others. Through his roomy, dynamic acoustic playing, Sanjay and his collaborators not only take us to places that inspired him — from the Himalayas to Cameroon and Brazil, but also journey inwards with meditative intent.

“The title refers to the divine Leela, joyous and playful, yet a profound act of creation,” he says in the album note.

The artiste is among those still championing jazz (among other styles) in India and says while it is encouraging to see music schools come up, nurturing is still the need of the hour. “I suppose decision makers should be bold enough to push these things, and we need more venues as well. There is no dearth of talent, but it needs to be nurtured.”

Details of Sanjay Divecha’s shows in Bengaluru are at bento.me/culturegrindin

Published – July 04, 2025 08:03 pm IST