Tag Archives: The Connection

Montreux Jazz Festival 2016 comes to Mumbai!

Montreux Jazz Festival 2016 comes to Mumbai!

written by Souranath Banerjee

The famous American composer George Gershwin once said ‘Life is a lot like Jazz … It’s best when you improvise’ 

Originated by the African American communities Jazz music has always fascinated me, specially since I watched such brilliant Jazz-based films like ‘Round Midnight (1986), Sweet and Lowdown (1999),  Lady Sings the Blues (1972), The Connection (1961), Bird (1988), Cabin in the Sky (1943) and the most recent one Whiplash (2014).

And of course like any other Jazz enthusiast I immensely enjoy Jazz concerts and screenings, so when a dear friend of mine told me that Montreux Jazz Festival is coming to Mumbai I had to make sure I was there.  

Venue: antiSOCIAL at 5th Road, Khar West; on 08 July, a perfect Friday Montreux-Jazz-Festivalevening in Mumbai, all ready to get jazzed up!

LeEco the global internet and technology company hosted a special screening of curated performances from te Montreux Jazz Festival in presence of GINO BANKS. It included performances by some of the prolific jazz musicians like Randy Weston, John Mclaughlin & the 4th Dimension that included Ranjit Barot, Aruan Ortiz Trio, Alina Engibaryan, MOderat and FKG. Gino Banks along with his musician friends was enthralled by the acts.

LeEco consumers can live stream the performances of the fest which is in its 50th year starting July 4, 2016. This is one of the 50 plus concerts that LeEco smartphone members get access to as part of the unique membership program of SUPERTAINMENT.

Commenting on this association, Debashish Ghosh, COO Content LeEco India said, “We recently partnered with IIFA 2016 and handpicked two of our lucky members to be part of the IIFA celebration. This was an exclusive offer to our LeEco members. We understand the demand for diverse and LeEo-Montreux-Jazzgenre specific content that our audiences have – and are committed to providing the same. Our association with Montreux Jazz Festival is of course targeting the niche Jazz music aficionados. Similarly, our other Music concert associations – that are streamed in future will cater to other genres – ranging from Rock to Fusion to Blues to Jazz – basically covering all forms of music – but exclusive to only our Members. For the duration of Montreux Jazz Festival our members will have the opportunity to access over live streaming, some of the best know Jazz musicians from across the globe. LeEco believes that such exclusive Content, Experience and Services (more details will be revealed in future) will ultimately drive consumer attention and engagement in our Ecosystem of Products and Services. And this will be the differentiator tomorrow.”

Originally the Montreux Jazz Festival was created way back in 1967 by Claude Nobs, René Langel, and Géo Voumard, and has since become a landmark event.

While jazz and blues are at the roots of this event, other styles of music quickly found their place as well, anchored by artistic encounters between generations of musicians and unique experiments. Montreux has seen historic performances by artists including Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Weather Report, Ray Charles,  B.B. King, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Deep Purple, Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder!

The 50th anniversary is leaded by stars, such as Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Santana, Marcus Miller, Jamie Cullum, Alfredo Rodriguez,and Neil Young, Van Morrison, ZZ Top, PJ Harvey, Muse, Mogwai, Lana Del Rey, DJ Shadow, M83, Grimes.

Chinese uprising Jazz star A Bu who claim the champion of Montreux’s piano competition is going to perform this year as well.

LeEco has tied up with Eros Now and YuppTV, through its platforms – Levidi and LIVE. For music fans, LeMusic – our free Music App – will be
Montreux-Jazz-Festivalpowered by Hungama and also adding other music sources to create a vast catalogue music across genres. Users will have access to more than 2 million songs with lossless audio, over 4 million songs in total, 3000 plus movies, 50 plus Big Ticket International Live Concerts, 100 plus premium live channels, exclusive Live Streaming of Major Entertainment Events and Music Concerts Worldwide along with 7500 plus hours of world class entertainment. This amazing SUPERTAINMENT library worth Rs. 4,990 per year – and is being offered bundled with the Le 2 and Le Max2 – as an initial offer.

The screening was highly entertaining, awesome performances accompanied by a variety of choicest snacks and beer – a heaven for the Music Lovers!

The upcoming line-up for live streaming from the festival is:

Date Performer Indian live streaming time
8/7/2016 Quincy Jones 11:30 pm
9/7/2016 Robben Ford 1:00 am
11/7/2016 Christian Scott 11:30 pm
12/7/2016 Liro Rantala & Ulf Wakenius 11:30pm
14/7/2016 Ernest Ranglin & Friends 1:00 am
15/7/2016 Francois Linderman 11:30 pm
16/7/2016 Harold Lopez – Nuss Trio 11:30 pm
16/7/2016 Lagrene, Farao, Willis, White 1:00 am
17/7/2016 Volcan 1:00 am

As we all Jazz enthusiasts already know ‘Jazz Music doesn’t have an expiration date’ – so keep the rhythm flowing till the next time we meet. Enjoy!

Best French Thrillers of Recent Times (10+1list)

Best French Thrillers of Recent Times

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best French Thrillers of Recent Times: Bonjour mon ami! It’s time for some French toasts and French Thrillers!

Well, its common knowledge that the French are famous for their beards, windows and kisses, but did you know that they also specialize in Thrillers?

Suspense, mystery, action packed and even psychological dramas seem to be their favourite genres and thus, here, this list comprises of some of the Best French Thrillers of Recent Times! 

Au revoir! As you have guessed, my French is pretty limited but what I actually want to say is Enjoy the list!

10. With a Friend Like Harry… (2000)

original title: Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSP7T0bf2o

French-ThrillersMeeting an old school friend is always a moment of joy, right?

Wrong. Specially when you meet the mysterious Harry, an old chum who makes sure to flip your life upside down.

Directed by Dominik Moll, and casting Laurent LucasSergi López and Mathilde Seigner – a mystery that soon turns into something unexpectedly sinister.

9. The Apartment (1996)

original title: L’appartement

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwapQhrZ-D0

French-ThrillersA mysterious take on love, a superb piece of story-telling and top quality acting; the result is this fine example of a French Thriller.

Romane BohringerVincent Cassel and of course Monica Bellucci, a combination played to perfection.

Directed by Gilles Mimouni, this one is a unique film with enough number of plot twists to keep the guessing game going till the finish line.

8. Anything for Her (2008)

original title: Pour elle

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBZVsLoSsDU

French-ThrillersA school teacher’s wife gets arrested and their family life is shattered. Now, he is ready to do anything for her, even if that means breaking the law!

Starring Vincent Lindon and Diane Kruger who gave very believable performances.

Directed by Fred Cavayéthis one is a powerful crime drama with a heart pounding climax.

7. Mesrine Part 1: Killer Instinct (2008)

original title: L’instinct de mort

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Ku-B5Gkws

French-ThrillersA biographical account of legendary french gangster Jacques Mesrine.

Vincent Cassel plays the mean and brutal goon who is stylish, egoistic and trigger happy! 

Adventurous and thrilling, desperate and unflinching,  a cool gangster flick directed by Jean-François Richet.

The story comes in two parts/films, so don’t you forget to watch Mesrine Part 2: Public Enemy #1 (2008).

6. Tell No One (2006)

original title: Ne le dis à personne

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvvY1M8vjzI

French-ThrillersHow can there be signs of someone being alive even after their death?

Only few thrillers can keep the romantic involvements intact and still tell the story in a way that makes you sit up with tension.

Directed by Guillaume Canet, a novel based film that will keep you guessing till the end.

5. The Connection (2014)

original title: La French

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx41FbyvSMw

French-ThrillersMarseilles, the South of France being the backdrop, the film is based on the life story of the infamous mafia boss Gaëtan ‘Tany’ Zampa.

Jean Dujardin is as usual brilliant, and Gilles Lellouche at his very best. 

Directed by Cédric Jimenez, a gangster film full of thrill and emotion. 

4. A Pure Formality (1994)

original title: Una pura formalità

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Li11QSlIJY

French-ThrillersA mysterious killing, a suspect and an inspector who collects the clues and tries to solve the case.

Brilliant performances by Gérard Depardieu and Roman Polanski who plays the game of guilty and innocence till the very end.

Directed by acclaimed Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore, this is one thriller that shouldn’t be missed.

From the same director The Unknown Woman (2006) and The Professor (1986).

3. A Prophet (2009)

original title: Un prophète

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69ARbQt-Ko

French-ThrillersPrisons are always dangerous and a French prison is no exception.

Directed by Jacques Audiard, this is a thrilling tale of an Arab man who climbs the ropes and learns to survive inside the prison, and finally becomes the mafia boss.

Full of intense moments, real, gritty and violent. And Tahar Rahim gives his career best performance in this one.

From the same director The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) and Read My Lips (2001).

2. Hidden (Caché) (2005)

original title: Caché

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_ZtfuvxpEw

French-ThrillersDaniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche are seemingly a happily married couple but then, certain surveillance videotapes begin to appear from an unknown source and that terrorizes them to the core.

A French film by the renowned German director Michael Haneke, a superb thriller loaded with extreme tension, paranoia and suspense. 

From the same director The White Ribbon (2009) and Funny Games (1997).

1. Léon: The Professional (1994)

original title: Léon

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcsirofJrlM

French-ThrillersA professional assassin reluctantly shelters and protects a 12-year-old girl, who quickly learns the dangerous trade and becomes his protégée!

Jean RenoGary Oldman and young Natalie Portman – some performances to remember.

Directed by Luc Besson (before his plunge into more commercialized Hollywood films), this one is undoubtedly the most sleek and stylish action thriller ever made. My personal favorite!

From the same director La Femme Nikita (1990) and The Fifth Element (1997).

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most disturbing one. A must watch).

+1. Irreversible (2002)

original title: Irréversible

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU-ZOHeWLkU

French-ThrillersStarring Monica BellucciVincent Cassel and Albert Dupontel, the film comes with some of the most disturbing visuals in the history of film making. So remember, it’s Adult only.

Directed by Argentinian filmmaker Gaspar Noé, a dark psychological thriller, extremely black in its content, and the way it has been shot (dizzy camera movements) only adds to the stress level.

Approach with caution, this one is definitely not everyone’s cup of cinema.

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