Olav Dale, the jazz musician from Norway says, "My interest in jazz music grew when I listened to American jazz musicians on the radio." He’s here with his band to perform at SPIC MACAY’s ongoing Heritage Series 2010 concerts.

"I grew up listening to John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Dexter Gordon," says Olav. He also talked about how the genre took root in Europe.

"Many African American jazz musicians migrated to Europe in the early ‘40s and ‘50s. These musicians introduced the genre in Europe and prior to that English jazz musicians were also an influence, but they were also inspired by American jazz."

Talking about his performance at the SPIC MACAY gig, Olav reveals, “Jazz music is impulsive. There’s improvisations happening, sometimes the tempo is very fast and rhythmic with varying grooves.

So when we perform, I will be explaining to the audience what we are playing.” The other jazz musicians travelling with Olav are Sten Inge Brekhus on drums-percussion, Erik H Halvorsen on keyboards and Torb Jorn Hillersoy on bass.

However, they were not to be seen, probably because they were recuperating from jet lag. Olav primarily plays the saxophone, but he can also play the flute, clarinet and bass clarinet.

When he’s not touring, Olav is into studio jobs and writing music. “When I’m home I write music for military bands apart from leading a jazz ensemble consisting of 20 members.”

“Jazz music is very popular in central Europe. Many American jazz musicians come to perform in Europe and they get paid much more,” says Olav, commenting on the jazz music scene.

He also plays for other bands while at home and on tour. “The universal language of jazz is standards. So it’s not difficult to play with your contemporaries, because every jazz artiste plays standards.” explains Olav.

Olav and his band will be performing at Ness Wadia College of Commerce tonight, 6.30 pm onwards.