Ahead of his return to the NCPA after a rapturous debut in 2023, jazz pianist Jesus Molina talks about the instruments, musicians and audiences that struck the right chord with him and went on to shape his musicality in significant ways.
By Narendra Kusnur
It has been nearly two years, but memories of Colombian jazz pianist Jesus Molina’s concert are still fresh in the minds of those present at the Tata Theatre on 6th June 2023. In the 90-minute set, he had taken the audience on an immersive musical tour of South America. Playing salsa, samba, bossa nova and timba, he had showcased the music of Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Chile, Puerto Rico and his home country. Aside from witnessing his lightning fast fingers on the piano, the audience was also treated to the sight of two drummers from his group Los Dromers simultaneously playing a special jumbo-kit.
His experience at that show prompted Molina to return to Mumbai, and he will now play at the same venue on 5th June. The pianist says his 2023 concert is an incredible memory he will always treasure. “I was amazed to discover that my music has reached fans in India, and I’m beyond excited to return and perform again, and also showcase my new album Selah. Get ready for a special night. On top of it, I’ve got a crazy surprise at the end of the concert that you won’t want to miss,” he drops a hint.
As someone who loves experimenting, Molina will be using a completely different format in the forthcoming concert. To begin with, his line-up is not the same. In 2023, bassist Guy Bernfeld and drummers Juan Pablo Faúndez Araneda and Danilo Amuedo had graced the stage. This time, he will be accompanied by guitarist Rock Choi, bassist Alex Polydoroff and drummer Cain Daniel.
Convinced that the musicians will bring the house down, Molina says he has had a blast playing with Daniel since they met at the Berklee College of Music in Boston a few years ago. “Rock Choi, who comes from South Korea, is also a Berklee alumnus, and he blew me away with his perfectionism the moment I heard him play the guitar. As for the incredible American bassist Polydoroff, it is always a pleasure to collaborate with him, both musically and personally,” he says.
Born in 1996 in Sincelejo, Colombia, Molina, whose parents are lawyers, was the first in his family to take up music as a profession. He started to play the saxophone because his mother loved the instrument, but when his grandmother gifted him a tiny keyboard, he was instantly drawn to it. He recalls, “My mom saw the spark and predicted that I would become a musician. I saw immense possibilities in the piano. It has 88 keys, such a huge range and all the possible chords.”
The budding pianist had his share of challenges along the way. “As the first musician in my family, I’ve faced scepticism and questions about my style, but the key is to stay focused and keep moving forward, regardless of what others think,” he says. When Molina was growing up, jazz had a limited following in Colombia. Youngsters were more interested in pop, and Shakira was the local sensation. He says, “I had to take solace in smaller festivals, where I interacted with like-minded musicians who supported the genre across the country. The jazz scene has improved now, with major festivals taking place in Colombia. Though still growing, it is exciting to see the genre gaining momentum with more people appreciating its beauty.”
Molina began his career playing a few local gigs, thereby attracting the attention of the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, which arranged a scholarship for him at Berklee. There, his interests moved beyond South American music to American jazz. His new idol was pianist Oscar Peterson, and listening to his records changed the way Molina approached music. He was also hugely inspired by pianists Art Tatum, Erroll Garner, Bill Evans and Chick Corea, among others. These musicians, he explains, embraced freedom, creativity and innovation. “To me, it’s about developing a unique technique and approach, but most importantly, crafting remarkable compositions and melodies that leave a lasting impact,” he says.
In 2020, Molina released his album Departing. In addition to tunes by South American composers, he rearranged popular pieces like composer Cole Porter’s ‘What Is This Thing Called Love?’, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s ‘A Night in Tunisia’ and Chick Corea’s ‘Spain’. He says, “I was at that stage of my life when I was confused, and I wanted to do something different. The album thus represented a new direction, the fact that I was ‘departing’ from my older ideas and life.”
On his next album Agape, he focused on original compositions, collaborating with renowned jazz personalities like guitarist Mike Stern, saxophonist Eric Marienthal and trumpeter Randy Brecker. On Cello Stories, he teamed up with cello player Haeinsane in a unique crossover project. The latest album Selah, released in May 2024, features renowned flautist Hubert Laws, singer-songwriter Noel Schajris and violinist Lucia Micarelli.
Molina describes Selah as a love letter to music. The title is derived from Hebrew and, among other things, means ‘praise’ or ‘lift up’. He says, “With this album, I aimed to showcase more of my personality, as each song reflects a different stage of my life. It is an expression of gratitude, love and life—a true reflection of my journey.”
The album features Bernfeld and Daniel. It has been produced by Bobby Colomby, a founding member and former drummer of late 1960s American jazz rock group Blood, Sweat & Tears. Molina points out, “It was Bobby who brought this talented group of musicians together, making the collaboration truly unforgettable. Every person poured his or her heart into it.”
On the live circuit, Molina has accompanied the likes of trumpeters Arturo Sandoval and Randy Becker, singer Jesús Adrián Romero, bassist John Patitucci, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and drummer Dave Weckl. Some of these encounters have interesting beginnings.
For instance, he initially interacted with Sandoval through Instagram and first met Patitucci at the Made In New York Jazz Competition seven years ago.
He has also played with Mumbai-based bassist Mohini Dey, whom he invited onstage for a guest appearance during his last concert at the NCPA. Later recordings of the tracks ‘Worthy Lamb’, ‘Pichi’ and ‘Guadalquivir Tiburon’, featuring Dey and drummer Roni Kaspi, are available on YouTube. He says, “I had a surreal moment when I spotted Mohini, a treasure from your country, in the audience. I was already a huge fan, and the funniest part was when I was playing the bass and caught her attention. It has been an absolute pleasure working with her. We are now planning some exciting projects together.”
Molina says he has admired many Indian artistes, with singer Jubin Nautiyal being one of his favourites. “I would love the opportunity to collaborate with him,” he says. Since he will be spending two extra days in Mumbai after the show, chances are that he will begin another new and exciting association. One hopes this is the second of many visits by the incredibly talented pianist who has created waves at such a young age.
This article was originally published in the June 2025 issue of ON Stage.
