Auckland’s music lovers were treated to an unforgettable fusion of rhythm and nostalgia at TAPAC in Western Springs, where the concert Bollywood Meets Jazz brought the house down with toe-tapping energy and genre-bending brilliance on 20 May, 2025.
Curated, created, and directed by Auckland-based jazz pianist and composer Ben Fernandez, the show was a bold musical experiment in collaboration with the acclaimed Auckland Jazz Orchestra (AJO) — one of New Zealand’s finest jazz ensembles. And if the packed hall and infectious audience energy were anything to go by, the experiment was a resounding success.
The concert delivered fresh, funky jazz arrangements of beloved Bollywood classics — a first-of-its-kind performance in New Zealand. From the opening number, the audience was all in: clapping, humming, and even singing along as the orchestra reimagined hits like Humma Humma, Kajra Re, Eena Meena Deeka, Badtameez Dil, and Chura Liya. Each song retained its original charm while being reborn with jazzy horns, improvisation, and swing.
Photo: Supplied
Adding to the night’s magic were vocalists Ritika Puri, Gopal Nair, and Allegra D’Souza, who joined Ben and the 20-piece orchestra on stage. Compere Maria Fernandez kept things flowing smoothly, offering context and fun facts about each tune — a welcome touch for those unfamiliar with Bollywood’s musical treasures.
The concert also paid homage to Fernandez’s Goan roots with a performance of Tuzo Mog, a popular Konkani song, in recognition of the many Goan musicians who helped shape Bollywood’s golden soundscape. Another highlight was a jazz-dance rendition of Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu, featuring dancer Akriti Rana Li alongside Ben on piano and his son Joshua on percussion — a performance that delighted and surprised in equal measure.
Photo: Supplied
More than just a concert, Bollywood Meets Jazz was a joyful celebration of musical fusion, cultural connection, and community spirit. And with plans already brewing for a larger concert later this year, this could well be the start of a vibrant new musical tradition in Aotearoa.
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