MUMBAI: Composer Sandeep Chowta has been keeping a low profile of late; one does not see him doing much of mainstream Bollywood music. The reason - Chowta is being very selective about his film projects, and after taking over as Columbia Records Head (Indian Division), he has been collaborating with international musicians like Frank Gambale, Murizio Colonna, Brett Garsed, Virgil Donati, to name a few. His latest music track was used at the Olympic Games held in Beijing recently.
"I left at a time when item songs were catching on (like Khallas and Babuji). I got many offers to do similar kind of music. However, at present, I am happy with the work I have on my plate, I read a story about a certain music director who has signed 21 films! – it's great, but at the same time, it's not easy – basically, you have two or three films in your hand and you are jacked!"
A jazz music lover at heart, the prolific music director has got many internationally renowned musicians to India in a span of three years. Chowta says modestly, "I don't really jam with them and that's purely out of respect. Their level of musicianship is different – I would rather watch them in admiration. I play with them, but nothing performance based."
The last time Chowta got Maurizio Colonna and Frank Gambale, the passes were over within minutes, and the story repeated itself when Brett Garsed and Virgil Donati came to Mumbai in August. Nobody was charged for these shows, in fact, for the Bangalore show, Chowta had to shell out money from his own pocket owing to the alterations of performing laws in Bangalore. In future, Chowta plans to bring more internationally renowned artistes, both for performances and workshops. "There is an urgent need to have a strong musicians' community. If I am assured that at least 700 musicians will turn up wherever we held these performance-cum-workshops, then I will certainly arrange more. All I'll have to do is convince the international artiste, that's all! I feel all musicians should be exposed to a certain level of musicianship," he says. Chowta is also open to extend the talent of these musicians to anybody from the Indian music scene. "If any of the music directors or artistes wishes to have Brett Garsed or Virgil Donati play for them, they can – of course, provided the musicians are also willing," he adds.
On working with some of the best musicians, Chowta says, "I like being surrounded by my idols, listening to their music and setting up projects. When you work with these musicians, there's no room for mediocrity – they are straight and upfront. However, the album which I plan to do with the international artistes will take time," he adds. "It's not a Bollywood music score, it's essentially music which would be taking it's own time."
Meanwhile, Chowta is also working on a Bollywood film and his own solo album, in which he plans to reinvent some of his unreleased old tunes. The solo album also has the world renowned Mohan Veena player Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt playing in one of the tracks. There's no set method to his compositions, Chowta says.
"Generally, I'd be listening to jazz music while I am driving, but after reaching the studio, I start working on Bollywood music – I find this transition is quite funny."
And who is the next international artiste he plans to get to Indian shores? "The Chick Corea Elektric Band" says the hopeful music director before signing off.
Pics Courtesy: sandeepchowta.com