Panaji — a jazz twin of Dutch town?

PANAJI - Jazz musicians from the town of Amersfoot near Amsterdam will Feb 13 descend here in a bid to beef up a campaign to make this Goa capital a ‘twin jazz city’ to the Dutch town.

“It’s a first of its kind concept. The mayor of Amersfoot in the Netherlands is focussing on designating Panaji and Amersfoot as twin Jazz cities. Both cities are similar, they have river ways, gardens and are quaint in their own right,” Armando Gonsalves, a Jazz promoter from Goa, told reporters.

“This move will attract the cream of top jazz bands seeking to perform in Goa, which in turn will provide a fillip to music tourism. Association with jazz could help make Goa a universally prominent tourist destination,” Gonsalves said.

The musicians will be here for a three-day Jazz for Goa festival Feb 13-15.

Well-known jazz artist Saskia Laroo, a 13-member Dutch jazz exponent, and another Dutch trio namely Roy Dackus, Theo de Jong, Alexander Beets, will also be participating in the festival.

Gonsalves said the event would also have a green component, where environment related issues confronting Panaji would be discussed by experts.

“We will have a seminar on urban environment, highlighting Goa’s environmental problems and solutions using the Dutch experiences and expertise,” Gonsalves said.

Apart from the formal concerts, the Jazz maestros will also visit an old-age home in Uccasaim where they will perform for the elderly inmates of St Joseph’s Eventide Home.

“The musicians will also visit Margaret Bosco Bal Sadan to musically mix with street kids,” Gonsalves said.