Merlin D'Souza
| Merlin D'Souza | |
|---|---|
 Merlin DSouza at BlueFrog Mumbai, March 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Merlyn |
| Origin | Bombay, India |
| Genres | Western_classical, Jazz, Bollywood, World music |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, pianist, music director/ composer/ arranger |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Website |
merlindsouza |
Merlin D'Souza (Merlyn) is an Indian woman composer and pianist from Bombay. dubbed by many as the "female-Rehman" of the country.She is a musician whose work includes composing for film, albums, theatre and advertising.[1] She is based at Bandra, a Mumbai suburb. Formerly the Asian jazz ambassador for Hennessy X.O.[2] – she has toured extensively, from Australia to China, from Europe to the United States (including a stint at the Blue Note, New York).[3]
Biography
Merlin started learning the piano at age 6, became an All India Radio performing artiste at 9, started playing in the church at 12 and bunked college at 18 to score and perform for Noel Godin's musical production (Blood Brothers). She is trained in western classical (Trinity College Performer's Licentiate) and liberated by jazz.
Her journey in theatre as a music director has seen her score for Alyque Padamsee's Romeo and Juliet, Pearl Padamsee's Godspell, Naseeruddin Shah's Julius Ceaser and Etienne Coutinho's Jazz., Raell Padamsee's: Sound of Music 2012, GREASE-2013[4]
Her foray into films as composer, arranger and vocal director has hit the right notes in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Road, Bus Yun Hi, Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula, Prince of Egypt and more.
She has gigged with Shubha Mudgal, Trilok Gurtu, Talvin Singh, Taufiq Qureshi, Rakesh Chaurasia.
Discography
- Soul Yatra (2009) – Charting a soundscape that fuses raga influenced melodic lines, Indian rhythm patterns, groovy arrangements and oodles of fluid piano work, Soul Yatra also features guest performances by the likes of Taufiq Qureshi, Rakesh Chaurasia, Mukul Dongre, Karl Peters, Hamsika Iyer and Vivienne Pocha.
- Koshish by Underscore Records – Shubha Mudgal, Merlin DSouza, Sudhir Nayak, Murad Ali, Benoni Soans, and Aneesh Pradhan
Released her solo album "SOUL YATRA" with Bluefrog recors and Sony BMG.Recent album release as composer /producer for INDIVA with Crescendo and Universal Music Group.
Filmography
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... – Merlin played, arranged and conducted for Karan Johar's superhit film 'K3G'
- Road – With music director Sandesh Shandilya
- Bas Yun Hi[5] – Merlin’s debut film as composer and music director. The film received critical acclaim as the new urban-centric yet soulful sound to hit the film industry. Directed by Raja Menon, the film saw stellar performances by Nandita Das and Purab Kohli.
- Prince of Egypt – Merlin was the vocal director for the animated feature film 'Prince of Egypt' (Hindi version).
- Lion King – Merlin was the music director, arranger and programmer for the Hindi version of Disney's famous animated movie 'Lion King'.
- Bombay Boys – Merlin and Asif Ali Beg teamed up to compose an OST for Kaizad Gustad's film starring Rahul Bose, Naveen Andrews and Naseeruddin Shah.
- Other works where she has been vocal director, arranger and programmer – Agnivarsha: The Fire and the Rain, Piya Basanti, Socha Na Tha, Gangaajal, Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula, Band of Boys, Tum Milo Toh Sahi
References
- ↑ "Merlin D'Souza profile by Underscore Records by Shubha Mudgal" http://underscorerecords.com/artistes/detail/87/Merlin-_De-Souza
- ↑ "Soul Yatra – brand ambassador for Hennessy XO" http://www.europejazz.net/news-pagenew-672.html
- ↑ Jerry Pinto, Nresh Fernandes Bombay, Meri Jaan: Writings on Mumbai – 2003– Page 323 "..scores and work them into entire tunes,' says Merlin D'Souza, Sebastian's daughter-in-law and a rising Bollywood music assistant herself. Sebastian had a brush with the film world in pre-Partition Lahore, where he led a band at Stiffle's hotel."
- ↑ "In the name of Jazz, Indian Express article" http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/latest-news/In-the-name-of-jazz/236178/
- ↑ "Bas Yun Hi at IMDB" http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1804001/
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Merlin D'Souza. |
- Merlin D'Souza at IMDb
- Merlin D'Souza at BlueFrog
- Merlin D'Souza at iTunes Store
- Merlin D'Souza's Official homepage
- Indiva concert in Mumbai, 31 October 2012 http://mumbaiboss.com/2012/10/31/attend-a-new-cultural-festival-at-horniman-circle-garden/
- Hindustan Times: Your weekend Fix (The concerts section), Jan 26 3013 http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Your-weekend-fix/Article1-1001971.aspx
- Merlin D'Souza- Soul Yatra: Soul Yatra-Indian jazz ambassadors http://www.europejazz.net/news-pagenew-672.html
- Indian Express: Garden of Celebration, 2 November 2012 http://www.indianexpress.com/news/garden-of-celebration/1025573/
- Hindustan Times: An all-star evening at Bandra amphitheatre http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/An-all-star-evening-at-Bandra-amphitheatre/Article1-478618.aspx
- Hindustan Times: Jazz musical concert in Mumbai today – 15 April 2010 http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Music/Music/Article1-531553.aspx
- Indian Express: In the name of jazz, 5 November 2007 http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/latest-news/In-the-name-of-jazz/236178/
- Mid-Day: Not all Goans are Fernandes and DSouza, 13 October 2008 http://www.mid-day.com/whatson/2008/oct/131008-enjoy-food-music-and-culture-of-Goa-at-the-ongoing-Goa-Festival-in-Mumbai.htm
- The Star, Malaysia: All that jazz from Mumbai, 14 October 2005 http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/10/14/central/12245470&sec=central
- DNA India: Suburban fest gears up for a ‘Merlinisque’ performance, 9 November 2005 http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_suburban-fest-gears-up-for-a-merlinisque-performance_9153
- DNA India: Not Just Jazz By The Bay closed for a month, 20 August 2010 http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_not-just-jazz-by-the-bay-closed-for-a-month_1426412
- The Times of India: Lead India Peace Mela in Mumbai, 4 October 2007 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-10-04/mumbai/27970285_1_peace-messages-gandhiji-amaan
- The Hindu: Art for a reason, 22 October 2010 http://www.thehindu.com/arts/dance/article840619.ece