Sony LIV unveiled its much-awaited original, Jazz City, at a star-studded press conference in Kolkata. Jazz City is a fictitious story set in Kolkata in the 1970s that contrasts the old-world elegance of the city with soulful music and human turmoil. The series turns a dimly illuminated jazz club into a silent witness to history where the struggle for identity takes center stage and coded conversations reverberate through tunes.

When asked about the series, director Soumik Sen said, “Jazz City was developed from a desire to create a truly personal story set against a changing time. As a writer and artist, I wanted to convey a tale about a fictional jazz club in Kolkata in 1971 that conceals mysteries among the sax and trumpet. I believe the audience can relate to my artistic vision in Jazz City, which is my tribute to those eras”.

“As a producer, what makes me proud of Jazz City is the team that came together to build this world with such passion and integrity. Every section gave it their all, from the technical craft to the script and performances. With Sony LIV, it has also been a collaborative experience, and I am thankful to have collaborated with such dedicated artists and crew that supported this project from the beginning,” said producer Arpita Chatterjee.

“I knew Jazz City was going to be special the moment I read the script,” actress Sauraseni Maitra said. What truly thrilled me about the plot was how highly nuanced and emotional it is. Many people would undoubtedly identify with my character, Sheela, because of her bravery, kindness, and strength,” said actress Sauraseni Maitra.

“My director clearly outlined the various facets of Jimmy Roy’s personality, which made understanding his emotional arc easier. I received guidance from my director, Soumik Da, and the entire team regarding the subtleties that enabled me to clearly depict Jimmy’s character arc. Jimmy is a multifaceted figure who combines charm and wit with profound moral and emotional nuance. It was difficult to find the ideal balance, but I’m glad I was able to investigate these layers in my own way,” said actor Arifin Shuvoo.

Created, written, and directed by Soumik Sen, and produced by Studio 9 and StudioNext, the series stars Arifin Shuvoo, Sauraseni Maitra, Shantanu Ghatak, Aniruddha Gupta, Sayandeep Sen, Shreya Bhattacharya, Shataf Figar, Alexandra Taylor, and Amit Saha.

Jazz City streams from 19th March, only on Sony LIV.

Priyanka Dutta