MUMBAI: Jazz Junction, a Goan band formed in 2004 with a tightly knit rhythm section made up of pianist Xavier Peres, bassist Colin D'Cruz and drummer Lester Godinho will be the first Goan band to perform at the Jazz Utsav in Pune on 29 November.

Jazz Junction's lineup for Jazz Utsav 2008 includes:

Simone Jehangir - vocals

Simone, all of fourteen years, is probably the youngest jazz singer in India. She went through voice training at an early age and has evolved into an accomplished young artiste, singing way beyond her age. Her first professional assignment came right on her fourteenth birthday when Jazz Junction featured her at a gig in Mumbai. Her very next gig with the band turns out to be an international jazz festival.

Ashton Colaco - saxophone

Ashton is one of the very few youngsters in the country who took up to saxophone. He plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophones and has been performing with various jazz bands in Mumbai. He honed his improvisation skills on five star hotel resident band contracts and is now a familiar figure in the local live jazz circuit. His passion for jazz can be heard in his soulful solos.

Carlos Gonsalves - percussion

Carlos took up to the heartbeat of music - the drums, at the age of thirteen playing the all important role of snare drum roll in his school band. Carlos's passion for rhythm attracted him to the exciting sounds of Latin American music that made him switch over to percussion. He then joined Goa's sensational latino band 'Obligato' where he played an array of acoustic percussion instruments. He currently plays all over Goa with local as well as visiting international jazz artistes.

Xavier Peres - keyboards

Xavier is definitely Goa's most accomplished jazz talent. His brilliant improvisation skills was noticed by the Fundacao Oriente in Goa who offered him a scholarship to study jazz in Portugal. Armed with a degree in jazz performance and a portuguese passport, he headed to the UK and promptly got absorbed into the local jazz circuit there. He currently divides the year between London and Goa and retains his place as Jazz Junction's original pianist whenever he is in Goa.

Colin D'Cruz - fretless bass

Colin is a familiar figure on the local jazz circuit having performed with more jazz ensembles than he can remember. He formed Jazz Junction in Goa in the year 2004 and has been behind the band's bassline right through all the changes in personnel. He has now set up base in Goa and gigs at places like Jazz Corner and Jazz Inn on a regular basis.

Lester Godinho - drums

Lester got into music at the age of six, studying violin upto grade five before switching over to drums. His passion for music covers everything from classical to hiphop where he nails down the pulse of the music with amazing virtuosity. Lester has performed with renowned names in the field of Jazz, both locally as well as internationally.