Incognito incomplete without music

British acid-jazz kings Incognito are true proponents of the life-affirming power of music.

"In life, you need food, sleep and money to have no worries," says the big band's leader, composer and co-founder Jean-Paul Maunick, better known by his nickname Bluey.

Speaking to Life! in a telephone interview from London, the 56-year-old adds: "For us, music is the fourth element. Without music, we would feel troubled. We would not be complete as humans."

Their dedication to their craft is what keeps the band going on strong 32 years after they first formed.

Fans here can get a taste of their upbeat and energetic blend of jazz, funk and soul when the band perform at a showcase concert at the Grand Theatre at Marina Bay Sands on Friday.

The gig is a preview of sorts to the inaugural edition of new jazz festival Sing Jazz, set to take place also at Marina Bay Sands, from Feb 27 to March 2.

Bluey and his band will also perform at the festival, touted as Singapore's largest event featuring jazz and jazz-influenced music.

Besides Incognito, the festival's star-studded bill includes British singer-songwriters Jamie Cullum and James Morrison, British band James Taylor Quartet, home-grown names Jeremy Monteiro and Alemay Fernandez, American singers India.Arie, Natalie Cole and Allen Stone as well as American trumpeter Roy Hargrove.

A collaboration with Indonesia's Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival, Indonesian acts such as singer Glenn Fredly and pianist Nita Aartsen will also perform.

While Bluey has been a constant presence in Incognito since the band were formed in 1979, the line-up, which includes members from England, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Israel and Jamaica, has been fluid and ever changing.

The touring edition usually counts a dozen members though, Bluey says, including at least three singers.

"Ideally, I would like to have 50 members up on stage, including a full string section," he adds.

With a large line-up of musicians coming from different backgrounds, Bluey says that the priority has always been finding people who are not only great musicians, but who are also team players.

"We are people who really care not just about the music but also each other. I'd say we subconsciously chose each other. It is all about mutual respect, we back each other up."

Their line-up in the past has included famous names such as British mod/punk icon Paul Weller and Grammy Award-winning American trumpeter Chris Botti.

To date, the band have released 15 studio albums, including 1981 debut Jazz Funk, 100° And Rising (1995) and their latest release, Surreal, last year peaked at No. 6 in the American jazz charts.

Bluey, a married father of four, also has a wide repertoire of work outside Incognito, having produced albums and songs for artists ranging from acclaimed American jazz guitarist George Benson to Japanese pop singer/ actress Miki Imai.

In March this year, he released his first solo album, Leap Of Faith, which he says was inspired by American jazz icon Al Jarreau.

"Al Jarreau heard me singing on a demo and he went 'Who is that trying to be me?' When I told him it was me, he told me to make my own record. If Al Jarreau tells you to do a record, you do a record. I finished it in 28 days."

Incognito's gig this Friday, which also includes performances by singers Fernandez and Richard Jackson, will be Incognito's fifth time in Singapore.

Their previous performances here include one at clubbing institution Zouk in 2001 and the Esplanade for the 2006 edition of the Mosaic Music Festival.

"We'll play selections from our 15 albums, so it's going to be exciting and full of energy. It's the full Incognito experience."

dinohadi@sph.com.sg

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