Courtesy ~ldg
© Legendary Musicians of Karachi
Hilary Rodrigues – saxophonist
My personal experience of live music entertainment came from the numerous wedding receptions that I attended whilst growing up in Karachi where guests would sing and dance along to live band performances. It was a regular social feature and the atmosphere was always entertaining and cheerful.
During the time when I was still at school, my friends and I would pretend to be musicians but this preconceived childhood notion did become a reality in 1989 at the Village Restaurant – my first stint as a live musician. It gave me the chills as I was extremely nervous but the experience was electrifying nonetheless.
I picked up the saxophone because of my grandfather’s immense influence. My grandfather – Alex Rodrigues – was a true maestro on the instrument and watching him effortlessly play made me even more eager to learn it. Throughout, he has been my greatest mentor even though he is no more with us. He was a true Legendary Musician of Karachi who played with big names in the music industry both nationally and internationally. My grandfather, Alex had 8 grandsons; the eldest is me and the youngest is Rodney. The two of us are the only ones that took up music.
So, my career as a professional musician started at restaurants like Village Restaurant, Pearl Continental, Sheraton hotel (now Movenpick) and then proceeding to live concerts, private shows and finally bigger events like the Music Channel Charts Award Ceremony which took place in 1994 and thereafter Coke Studio in 2017.
Hilary Rodrigues with the Radiation
Radiation was a prominent band of the late 80s – 90s and it was where I had the privilege to start my musical career. The year was 1989 and I was an active member of the band till 1993 and that’s when I got married and took a break from live music. Radiation also performed at my wedding.
The photograph above is with the original band members but eventually, a few emigrated from Karachi and new members were recruited. The last musician to join us was the great legendary musician – lead guitarist – Maxwell Dias. After my grandfather passed away, I always looked up to Max, who has been a great support to us musicians. He is very particular about the tone of the instruments and note variations and provides good advice when required.
After my short break from music, I joined a new band called the Variations in 1995 but after a year or so, all the musicians started immigrating to Canada and I was the only one left behind. Somehow, I got in contact with Glenn De’Cruz and got Radiation to reunite once again with Maxwell Dias on lead, Glenn De’Cruz (Baba) on drums, Neil Araujo on bass, a new keyboardist Dennis Victor and myself on saxophone.
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My most memorable performance in Karachi was playing live at the IAMKarachiMusic Festival in 2015. IAMKarachi is a brilliant platform that aims to inculcate hope, pride and ownership within the citizens of Karachi organizing various social and cultural events. I was proud to be part of that initiative and I hope that music and cultural events like this continue to happen in Karachi.
The genres that I enjoy playing the most are Jazz – the love of jazz comes from my grandfather – and Pop music as well.
As a professional musician spanning two decades, I have learned and understood that musicians should know their audience and be able to play the music of their choice. You should be able to improvise and experiment with music that may not always be to 
your preference. As a live musician, your audience is everything and should be in the groove and in good spirits. Our job is to get them to that groove by catering to their requirements and their enjoyment makes us feel great and encourages us to perform even better.
At present I am still busy doing my thing; either at various studio recordings, video recordings or cover music. We just finished a studio recording last week; an original song by Visions – ‘Zindagi ka Safar’. This song is for a movie which is based on the life of Legendary Musician, Mr. Noman D’Souza and his musical journey. I am truly excited to be working on this project with The InTime band.
On keyboards, we have Clifford Lucas, on bass Jerry, on drums Glenn DeCruz, my cousin Rodney Rodrigues on lead guitars and myself on saxophone. I’m sure my grandfather would be really proud of us – if he were alive – to see both his grandsons playing together in one band.
To upcoming musicians, I always encourage them to do what you do best; whatever instrument it may be. Be the musician you are born to be; take along your fellow musicians and walk this musical journey as music brings people together. It always has and it always will.. never let anyone tell you otherwise!
Photographs courtesy Hilary Rodrigues ~ from his private collection.
© Legendary Musicians of Karachi
Legendary Musicians of Karachi 
I would have been nice if somebody asked Rick and I for Zandigi ka safar ..