Louiz Banks

OT: Is travelling a treat or a compulsion?

Louiz Banks: I’m glad that it is my music taking me everywhere. If I had to just holiday in different parts of the world, I would get bored quickly. ‘Churchgate to Borivali’ (stations on the Mumbai Western railway line), which I composed to symbolise the train journeys here, is an example of how my travels have influenced my music. Beginning at a slow pace, it gathers speed and sounds, trying to capture how the initially relaxed journey gradually turns chaotic through the accumulation of crowds and noise as the stations go by.

OT: Do you have fond memories of Kolkata and Darjeeling?

Louiz Banks: I was born in Kolkata and schooled in Darjeeling. I call myself a mountain boy who discovered jazz in the mountains. Barring the Internet and rock music, Darjeeling is still a land forgotten by the march of time. Kolkata was where I learnt music from my father, George Banks, and played with him at various hotels there. It is also where I gained recognition and met my wife. I also made some great friends there.

OT: Favourite Indian city?

Louiz Banks: It has to be Mumbai, now my home. The people are open-minded, the work ethic great. There’s tolerance and great spirituality as well. Mumbai is slowly becoming a great international city with infrastructure to match.

OT: Something that Mumbai cannot offer?

Louiz Banks: Oh, how I miss the mountains, the cold climate and Darjeeling tea! And I can never get over Darjeeling’s dallo khursani (round chillies). I would devour eight to 10 of these plump chillies every day to survive the cold. And mind you, Darjeeling chillies are potent! Unfortunately, I had to discontinue for health reasons. I miss the culture of Kolkata. No one talks money there. It’s just art and music. I also yearn for its kathi rolls. Whenever my tours take me there, I bring back a whole bunch of them.

OT: Favourite travel destination?

Louiz Banks: New York, for its jazz. Whenever I’m there, I frequent the clubs, look out for live performances and meet musicians. In India, it is Bangalore, for its climate and music lovers.

OT: What sort of food do you enjoy when travelling?

Louiz Banks: I prefer to eat local, gorging on spicy street food. In India, it’s vadas, methi paratha, paani puri, biryani, kebabs and nalli. In the US, it’s hot dogs. In Southeast Asia, I go Oriental.

OT: Most memorable music tour?

Louiz Banks: I have played all over the world with my fusion band, starting from the 80s. But my tours in Europe in the 80s and 90s were the most memorable. Even today I consider Europe my ideal music destination. It’s a delight to perform for audiences there.

OT: What do you always travel with?

Louiz Banks: My laptop, camera, iPhone and iPod.

OT: And what music shall we find on your iPod?

Louiz Banks: I am hooked to the young Frenchman, Hadrien Feraud, a phenomenal jazz guitarist. I have his whole self-titled album on my iPod. Other music: Chick Corea’s latest album, The Ultimate Adventure, music by American drummer Steve Smith and his group Vital Information and loads of music by Herbie Hancock. And, of course, John McLaughlin.