The Telegraph - April 20, 2002

Playing to the GALLERY - Face of the Week
by Chandrima Pal

He's jammed with Jennifer Lopez; performed on The Tonight Show and hopes to break into Hindi film music. Cahndrima Pal meets Joy Basu.
He moves from high voltage live shows to plush music studios with consummate ease. If you missed him on the Jennifer Lopez show at the Billboard Awards, you could catch up with him on the Tonight Show, or read up about him in Guitar World. This 31-year-old guitarist is India's and Calcutta's connection with the biggest names in the music industry in the West. Meet Joy Basu, the entertainment world's best-kept secret. Born in Calcutta and brought up in the United States, Basu is now on the 'most-wanted list' as a hired gun as well as a concert guitarist. While his performance credits include performing with Jessica Simpson, Coco Lee, Angie Stone and Jennifer Lopez, Basu has also performed at several TV shows including Soul Train, Tonight Show, CBS Early Show, Rosie O'Don-nell to name just a few. Currently living in Hollywood, Joy spent his formative years in Los Angeles. Scientists by profession, Basu's parents are passionate about music. Music was thus, a natural choice for him, "When I started playing guitar and performing, I knew that's what I wanted to do," he recalls. Joy Basu was only 13 when he started performing with bands, heavily under the spell of such groups as Van Halen, Journey, Ozzy and Kiss. Music and parties, young Basu was living the rock 'n' roll life, and loving every bit of it. Hard rock and metal were Basu's mainstays until he joined the famous Berklee School of Music, Boston, which proved to be an eye-opener for him. Since then Basu has recorded and performed with various rock, funk, blues, pop, hip-hop, R&B, elec-tronica, metal and industrial bands. Then came the momentous day when Basu released his first solo CD in Japan. "That opened up a lot of doors. My music got on to TV and radio around the world," Basu explains. That also led to his performing with Jennifer Lopez. What does it feel like to be on stage with the hottest performers? Basu enjoys every minute of it, "It's all one big party, J-Lo was really nice. During rehearsals she was just as down-to-earth and funny as anyone else. She was all about having a good show." Coco Lee was great as well and Basu's shows with her in Tokyo and Hong Kong "were incredible." But the guitarist's favourite seems to be Jessica Simpson whom he finds very dedicated and fun-loving. Basu is currently busy recording his own CD. He also takes time off from his work to teach at Musician's Institute, Hollywood and LA Music Academy, Pasadena. And though he is an Indian, people don't have problems in relating to him as a musician who teaches heavy metal, shred style guitar or classic rock rather than Indian music. "Everyone relates to each other as musicians and I have not dealt with any kind of race issues in the music scene," he confesses. "If anything, having the dark look has helped me get a variety of gigs." But the 'dark look' also proved to be a bane when he was beaten up by a group of fanatics for being the wrong colour. That unfortunate incident took place in Indiana and Basu is quick to point out that he has not confronted any racism in Los Angeles. However, like a true fighter Basu has taken everything in his stride, "As you've heard, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." And he is full of plans for the future. "I would like to keep recording, writing and touring in the future." he says. Besides the many projects which will keep his fingers firmly glued to the fret boards, he wishes to play for some Hindi movie songs. "I also intend to use some Indian vocals and instruments on one of my forthcoming projects really soon," he reveals. Is A. R. Rahman listening?

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